Diet, Habitat Use of Critically endangered Smien fox (CanissimensisRüppell 1840) and Human Conflict in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area , North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate Simien Fox habitat use, diet,and its conflict with human in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area in North Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Data for habitat use, diet preference and human Simien Fox conflict were collected from September 2021 to January 2022.Data collection methods were focal group discussion and interviews to obtain information about the animal in the area), focal group watch (to determine habitat use), scat analsis (to determine feed items), and questionnaire (to determine conflicts between humans and the Simien Fox).Scats of Simien Fox was collected in four habitats of the species including the specific densities to identify food items used by the Simien fox. Habitat where scat was collected, date of collection, age of scats, time of collection, altitude of the collection site and position were also recorded. Scat droppings were checked for hairs, feather and bones of the animal matters that are consumed by Simien fox. For the questionnaire survey, a total of 100 people, 50 males and 50 females, were randomly selected from three villages to acquire data on the human-Simien Fox conflict. Quantitative variables were analyzed for mean values and percentage in MS Excel 2013 while the qualitative data were thematically presented and narrated. Scat analysis showed that Rodents were the principal diet(37.5%). But among livestock species, predation was more sheep 328 (89.1) followed by goat 27(7.3).The habitat most commonly used by Simiem wolf was Alchemilla shrub land in both wet and dry season (58.3% and 61.7%), followed by Mima mound (23.3% and 20%). The occurrence of Ethiopian wolf in the Festuca grass land and farmland habitats was low at 11.7% and 6.7%, respectively. The local people had conflict with Simien fox through habitat destruction on the human part, and domestic livestock predation on the animal part. The study suggests that government intervention together with the local people shall be needed for the sustainable conservation and management of this critically endangered species.