Diet Composition of Spotted Hyena (Crocuta Crocuta) In and Around Garbage Dumping Site in Abi- Adi Town, Centeral Tigray - The Case Of Livestock Depredation And Local People‟s Attitude

Abstract

The diet composition of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in and around urban garbage dumping site of Abyi Adi town, Centeral Tigray- the case of livestock depredation and local peoples’ attitude was studied from March-April, 2013. A total of 143 hyena scat samples collected from the study area and washed and hairs were extracted. Hair was analyzed based on form, length and color with the naked eye as well as by using a microscope at 10 x magnifications compared with a prey species hair reference collection. The scat analysis revealed that the diet of spotted hyena contains 96.16% prey item of livestock and 3.84% prey items of wildlife. Frequencies of prey items identified in decreasing order were; donkey, goat, and sheep in and around garbage and goat, sheep and donkeys far from the garbage area. Economic impact of livestock predation was assessed through household survey selected by systematic random sampling technique. The age, number and sex of livestock killed by spotted hyena were recorded and estimated average cost of livestock lost and the average price collected from local livestock seller. A total of 535 livestock; 175(32.7%) and 360 (67.3%) were reported to be killed by hyena over 5 years from around and far from garbage dumping areas respectively. The average annual livestock loss resulted in estimated economic loss per household were 518.8 birr and 388.6 birr from around and far from garbage area respectively. Households of the study area reported that they were protecting livestock by fence, dog and shepherd from hyena predation. However, the constructing materials and height of fence was insignificant association with livestock protection. Perception towards spotted hyena was also surveyed on a total of 355 households of urban and villages of around and far from garbage dumping areas. 48%, 26.8% and 25.2% of respondents had positive, negative and neutral perception towards hyena respectively. Education, residence, sex and age influenced the perception of respondents towards hyena. In general, hyena depredation livestock due to absence of natural preys and cause an economic value. Mitigation livestock depredation is highly recommendable either through improved animal husbandry or through ecosystem regeneration and give education and training to create awarenes