POPULATION ESTIMATE FOR GELADAS (THEROPITHECUS GELADA) LIVING IN AND AROtJND THE SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Geladas (Theropithecus ge/ada), endemic to Ethiopia, are listed as "rare" by the IUCN and
have an Appendix II listing in CITES. The highest density of geladas, and the only place where they are
officially protected, is found in the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP). However, to date, no
comprehensive census of geladas in the area has been carried out. Here, we use a direct count to census
geladas living in and around the SMNP. We also ~xamine theage and sex structure of the gelada groups
surveyed. A total of 4264 geladas were counted in the area. From these results, we estimate that
appr0ximately 2460 geladas live within the current boundary of the SMNP. With respect to age-sex
categories, we counted approximately 3 adult females to each adult male, and when bachelor groups
were excluded, there were 4.2 females per adult male. The ratio of immatures and subadults to adults
was 1.2 immatures per 1.0 adult. The actual size of the SMNP gelada population is significantly lower
than expected from previous unpublished estimates. However, gelada populations appear to be
healthy in the SMNP, despite a high amount of competition with grazing livestock.