Mammalian diversity in the relict semi-natural forest in the campus of Jimma Institute of Technology (JIT), southwester

Mammals in small fragmented habitats, particularly those in or adjacent to cities and towns could serve as population stock source with significant economic, ecological, social, cultural and conservation values. This study was conducted to assess the diversity, habitat preference and relative abundances of medium and large sized mammals in the fragmented semi-natural forest and the surrounding wetland and farmland habitats in the Jimma Institute of Technology (JIT) campus, Jimma city, from December 2018 to August, 2019. Three habitat types (forest, wetland and farmland) were identified. Line transect, sensor camera traps and indirect methods were used to collect data from all the three habitat types. A total of 15 species of medium and large sized mammals from six orders and 10 families were recorded from the area. Order Carnivora was represented by five species, Artiodatayla by four, primates by three species, while, orders Lagomorpha, Hyracoidea and Rodentia were represented by a single species each. Comparatively, species diversity was high in the farmland during the wet season (H’ = 2.52) and the least diversity was from the wetland (H’ = 1.4) during the same season. While Chlorocebus aethiopis was the most abundant (26.21%) species in all habitats, Canis aures was the least (1.4%). Despite the dominating human disturbance the small fragmented natural forest and its surrounding wetland and farmland in JIT campus still hosted diverse wildlife species signifying the value of such habitats in cities. Therefore, the authorities of JIT campus are recommended to give special attention and protect the area from any future development activities.