Menelek’s Bushbuk (Tragelaphus scriptus Menelik)
Among the forty races of Bushbuck, the Menelik’s bushbuck holds a special place probably because of its coloration. The bushbuck is an antelope related to the Nyala and the Eland.
It is fairly common in Ethiopia, occurring in the Bale Mountain, in the cedar forests in Menagesha and the Eucalyptus groves of the Entoto Range. But their common habitat is the dense bush in the highland forest up to 4000 meters. The Bale Mountain National Park provides a refuge for them. They are nocturnal and diurnal. They are usually solitary yet in Bale they can be seen in pairs or small family groups of females and the young.
The Menelik’s bushbuck is Endemic to Ethiopia. It is protected within the area of the Bale Mountain National Park. As it is numerous all over its range, it is not considered endangered, and therefore, outside the parks and reserves hunting is permissible on license.