Assessment of human and primates conflicts in limu woreda, bolale forest, east wollega zone, Western Ethiopia
Abstract
T. Tafesse*, G. Bikila and D. Amenu
This study was conducted to assess human wildlife (primate) conflict in and around Bolale Forest, Limu Woreda district, and Western shoa zone. The study was carried out from September 2021 to March 2022. The main objective of the study was to identify the cause and effect of human wildlife conflicts, to estimate the loss of crops destroyed by primate and to estimate the population size of primate pest in the study sites. Data collection was conducted using structured questionnaire, direct observation and secondary sources. Field observation using line transect was used to estimate the population size of pest primates and to estimate the crop loss due to pest primates. The result of the respondents showed that about 66.1% and 12.4% existence of Human wildlife conflict manifested via crop damage and livestock predation respectively. The findings also showed that there was significantly different on the number of Anubis Baboon in dry and wet season (p<0.05).The response of respondents report that habitat disturbance, increased subsistence agriculture, deforestation as causes of Human wildlife conflict. Anubis Baboon, Vervet monkey, Wild pig, Warthog, Porcupine and Civet cat were identified as damage causing wild animals. Most raided crops were maize (Zea mays) in the production season. About 28.1% of maize was damaged by crop raiders from the total estimated maize plant. Respondents used guarding, making scarecrow, chasing and smoking to defend crop raiders. The present study identifies the major causes of Human wildlife conflict in the study area and manifested through crop damage and livestock predation, wild animals habitat disturbance and increased subsistence agriculture. Therefore, based on the finding of this study, it is recommended palatable and nutritive crops should not be grown near the forest edge, educate the local community about a benefit, wildlife conservation, conservation education is paramount and cooperatively keep their crop.