Human–Wildlife Conflict among the Pastoral Communities of Southern Rangelands of Ethiopia: The Case of Yabello Protected Area

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess human–wildlife's conflict in the Yabello district protected area, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The data were collected by using questionnaires, interviews, field observations, and secondary document analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to thirty households within and around the protected area. In addition, interviews were conducted with select local community representatives and office personnel.Uncontrolled management of grazing land, encroachment on the local communities, living settlement patterns near and within the protected area, lack of boundary demarcation and zoning, and increasing demand of the products found in the protected area are major causes of human–wildlife conflict in the Yabello protected area. Loss of livestock contributes to disturbances in the livelihood of local households, which in turn have a major impact on human–wildlife conflict in the local communities. Habitat disturbance and migration of wildlife are the serious byproducts of human–wildlife conflict. Predatory wildlife includes hyenas, foxes, and leopards. Crop-raiding animals are zebras, wild pigs, gerenuk, and monkeys, all of which also are negatively affected by human–wildlife conflict.