Human-Wildlife Conflict From The Edge, Of Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve Along Distance Gradient, Southwest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflicts undermine human welfare, health, safety, conservation efforts and have economic and social costs. This study was conducted to assess human-wildlife conflict and crop raiding in relation to distances from forest edge, to surrounding the agricultural landscape of Yayu coffee forest biosphere reserve, southwest Ethiopia. A total of thirty transects each 1km long, with 200m interval between transects, were laid out from forest edge towards agricultural landscape and124 HHs were randomly selected for questionnaire survey. Data, on type of major crop raiders, level of crop raiding; traditional crop protection methods and attitude of farmers towards wildlife were collected using questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. The data on types of crop raiders, level of crop raiding, traditional crop protection methods and response of farmers on attitude towards wildlife, were tested with Pearson’s Chi-square test and the mean species richness in homegardens was tested with One-way ANOVA. All data were analyzed by R-statistical program (version 3.6.2.). The study result indicated that, four wild animals; Olive Baboon, Vervet monkey, bush pig and, crusted Porcupine were identified as major crop raiders. There was a significant spatial variation of crop raiding across the landscape (p=0.000), frequency of crop raiding shows decreasing trend with increasing distance from the forest edge, and it was severe close to forest edge. Farmers were used traditional crop protection methods like; guarding, chasing, live fencing, scarecrow and smoking. Majority of the farmers close to forest edge have negative feeling to wildlife’s, due to heavy crop loss and permanent guarding the crop. To mitigate heavy crop loss caused by wildlife, farmers nearest to the forest edge should change their farming practices. Further study is needed to find alternative crop species, which is less palatable to crop raiders and could grow in the agro climatic condition of the area.