Human-geladas conflict and assessing local human attitudes for community-based conservation in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding the nature and magnitude of human-wildlife conflict at the local level is critical for developing a wildlife management strategy. I used a questionnaire, focus group discussions, fecal dropping analyses, and direct observations to address the human-geladas conflict and promote the conservation of a relic monkey population in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. I analyzed data using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. A high degree of human-geladas conflict was recorded as a result of habitat disturbance, agricultural expansion, and killing in response to crop-raiding. Geladas caused direct and perceived costs for the local people. The majority of the respondents from Hadnet (76%, n = 75) and Debre-Abay (71%, n = 74) villages had a negative attitude toward the geladas. To help reverse this sentiment and take steps toward reducing future human-geladas conflict, I recommend that local communities play a more active role in the management and conservation of the endemic geladas.