Human-Elephant Conflict and its Economic Consequences around Chebera-Churchura National Park in South-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Historically, humans and wildlife conflict coexist. However, due to the increased resource scarcity, lack of proper management and population growth, recent trends show that there is a growing conflict. In the context of Ethiopia, such conflicts are less researched and systematically recorded and thus it is not well understood and as a result is the problem was overlooked by experts and policy makers. An investigation on Economic-Cost of HumanElephant conflict was carried out around Chebera-Churchura National Park in Dawuro Zone and Konta Special District Southern Ethiopia. The study followed a mixed method approach and data were collected both by qualitative (using questionnaire and observation) and quantitative method. Quantitative data were collected through household survey on four purposively selected villages (Serr, Yora, Maliga, and Damano) around the park from January to July, 2019. Focus group discussion, key informant interview and field observation were also used to collect qualitative data. From 1050population, 137sample respondents were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi Square test and ANOVA were used in data analysis. Results showed that, villages with a higher incidence of conflict were those proximate to the park and near to main water points. Crop damage was the most (78%) prominent reasons for human-elephant conflict. Others include property damage (3%), human injuries and deaths (3%), livestock attack (15%) and elephant death (1%). The most raided crops were maize (51%) followed by banana (28%). Results further revealed that, crop damage occurred more often during wet seasons than dry seasons. A total average economic value of crop loss per household per cropping season was accounted for ETB 9873.7, 7251.3, 5224.59 and 5305 in Serr, Yora, Maliga and Damano villages respectively. Most of the respondent (85%) had negative attitudes towards elephant conservation. Chasing with fire, loud noise and regularly guarding the fields were the most widely used local crop control methods in all four villages. This study revealed that rising incidence of human–elephant conflicts and significant economic loss and food insecurity as a result of crop damage around the CCNP.The establishment of buffer zone between park and villages, regulation of new settlements around the park, bee farming and growing non-palatable crops such as ginger, coffee, chill etc are recommended to lower human-elephant conflic