Assessment of Human-Wildlife Conflict and Its Challenges on Conservation: The case of Laga Korma forest, Kelem Wollega Zone, Oromia region Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess human wildlife conflict and its challenges on conservation in, and around Laga Korma forest. Human-wildlife conflict is a serious problem in Ethiopia especially in situation of those who share the immediate boundaries with forest. The data was collected by questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, and direct observations from July 2022 to May 2023. Cross-sectional study design was used to assess human–wildlife conflict and its challenges on conservation. A total of 124 household heads were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for descriptive Statistics, and represented by frequency, and percentage. The results show the existence of human -wildlife conflict manifested via crop damage and livestock depredation by wild life, and wildlife killed by human being. All crops were not equally affected by crop raiders. Majority of the respondents or 46(37.1%) of the respondents claimed that maize was the most preferred crop to wildlife and only 9(7.3%) of the respondents claimed that coffee was the most preferred crop to wildlife. A total of 124 domestic animals were depredated from the six villages in last one year (2022). Chicken were the most frequently attacked domestic animals 40 (32.3%) compared to sheep 33(26.6%), goat 24(19.4%), Cow 16(12.9%), and donkey 11(8.9%). The highest 33% percent of respondents reported that increased subsistence agriculture as the causes of human wildlife conflict, and only, 8.9% of respondents reported increased wildlife population, as causes of human wildlife conflict. Generally the results of this study show that the wildlife in the study area affects the livelihood of local communities in different ways. Humans also affected wildlife in many ways, through habitat loss, overexploitation of resource, and, causing climatic change. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it is recommended farmers should cooperatively keep their farm against crop raiders to minimize crop loss by using most effective method in the study area. Illegal human settlements around the forest, expansion of farmland and cattle grazing in the habitat of wildlife should be controlled and mitigated by concerned stakeholders.