Abstract:
Human-wildlife conflict is identified as one of the main threats to the continued survival of
many species in different parts of the world. The present study was carried out in Suntu
Kebele of Limmu Kossa Woreda, Jimma zone of Oromia National Regional State on
“Assessment of human-monkey conflict in Suntu Kebele". The study included both the dry
(February, 2016) and the wet season (May to end of August, 2016.). Three study sites were
selected namely: Suntu, Jarso and Jato. Data were collected through self-administered
questionnaire, face to face interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. For
the questionnaire survey, 201 households or any family member ≥ 18 years of age were
involved and the respondents were selected through random sampling method. Purposive
sampling was employed for to select for focus group discussion. Sweep survey was used to
estimate the population size of Anubis baboon (Papio anubis) and Vervet monkey
(Chlorocebus pygerythrus). To estimate the amount of crop damaged by the pest monkeys,
the grid system was used. For this purpose, 90,000m2 of plots of land covered by maize crop
were randomly selected and the magnitude of damage was recorded. The results of the
questionnaire and interviews indicated that damage to crops by Anubis baboons and Vervet
monkeys was the major problem. The result also showed depredation of goats & sheep by
Anubis baboon, and poultry by Vervet monkeys. The finding from group discussion showed
that the local people have developed negative attitudes towards these pest monkeys. The
result of field observation to estimate crop damage indicated that the damage caused to
maize crop by Anubis baboon at seedling. Tasseling and ripened stage together was 1.43%
per a hectare and the damage caused to the same crop at different stages of its development
by Vervet monkeys 1.42% per a hectare The field observation also showed the estimated
population size of Anubis baboon in the dry season and the wet season was 67.00 ± 18.385
and 77.50 ± 20.51 respectively. The estimated population size of Vervet monkeys in the dry
and wet season was 129.00 ± 26.87 and 138.50 ± 19.09. This study provides evidence with
respect to crop damage by these monkey species. Therefore, human-monkey conflict issues
must be resolved in the context of the local community.
