Background Common Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) is one of the most widely distributed antelope species in African continent and use a wide variety of habitat types. A study on population status and feeding ecology of common bushbuck in Moledo Forest, West Gojjam, Ethiopia was carried out from September 2017 to August 2018 during wet and dry seasons. Data were collected using total count method and focal sampling technique. Then, the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with t-test for population status and percentage contribution of food items. Plant species consumed were compared with Chi-square test between seasons.
Results The result indicated that the total numbers of bushbuck population were 18 and 28 during dry and wet seasons, respectively. There was a significant difference (t = 0.61, df = 4, p < 0.05) in bushbuck population during both seasons. Sex ratio of adult male to adult female was1.4:1. On the other hand, 20 plant species belonging to 11 families were recorded as food for study animal. Food items were significantly differed between seasons ({{\chi }}^{2}= 930.88, df = 1, p < 0.05). Their food items mainly constituted 50% shrub, 30% herb and 20% tree. Young leaves contributed to 40% of their diet followed by mature leaves 26%. On the other hand, flowers contributed the least (6%) for their diet. There was a significant variation ( {{\chi }}^{2} = 98, df = 10, p < 0.05) in parts of plant consumed by common bushbuck in the study area.
Conclusion There are some threats associated with common bushbuck in the study area such as livestock grazing, habitat encroachment, fire wood collection, predation and hunting. Therefore, immediate attention needs to be paid to conserve the study animal in particular and other wildlife in general.