Human-Wildlife conflict in Human dominated landscapes in the surrounding
Kebeles of Alage ATVET College, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Abstract
The study is aimed to investigate the nature and extent, and assess
perception of local community towards wildlife. A total of 140 household
heads were selected randomly from nine survey villages using structured
and semi-structured questionnaire for interviews. Focus group
discussion, key informant interview and personal observation were held
used to achieve the study objectives. Data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics and responses compared using Chi-square test (2
tailed), one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. Besides,
Likert scale statements were used to assess the attitudes of local
people towards wildlife conservation. About 47.1% of sampled
respondents thought that they experienced livestock predation whereas
57(40.7%) of the respondents faced both crop damage and livestock
predation problems. A total of 932.43TLU livestock and 218 Dogs losses
reported by households due to predators over the last five years. Thus,
large numbers (848.6TLU livestock and 218 Dogs) of attack was happened
due to Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta). The frequency of livestock
predation (F = 8.157, df = 8, P < 0.05) and type of predators
involved (χ2=79.719, df = 8, p <0.05) were significantly
differ across study villages. Nearly half, 69(49.3%) of respondents
ranked Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) as primary crop raider. Whilst
majority of the respondents 115(82.1%) perceived Maize was frequently
and severely damaged cereal crop. Most 80 (57.1%) respondents used
different methods simultaneously to minimize damage caused by wild
animals. Nearly half, (48.6%) of respondents had negative and strong
negative attitude towards wildlife conservation. Level of education and
amount of money imposed as penalty for illegal grazing were the most
important factors affecting the local community attitudes towards
wildlife conservation. Improve livestock husbandry, use appropriate
guarding methods, education and make the community the actor of
conservation would be vital to enhance the peaceful co-existence between
human and wildlife in the study area.