Zelalem Temesgen

and 2 more

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.