IMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT ON LOCAL LIVELIHOOD: CASE STUDY, KIMBI-FUNGOM NATIONAL PARK CAMEROON

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo,Nkengafac Michael Benazia,Mvo Denis Chuo

doi:10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i5.2020.54

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Nkengafac Michael Benazia + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i5.2020.54

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Abstract

This study entitled “implications of human-wildlife conflict on local livelihood in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park” was undertaken to assess impacts of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the Park so as to provide basis to design a sustainable wildlife conservation roadmap. Data collection was done using questionnaires, semi structured interviews and direct observations. Collected data were treated using excel and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 14). Findings revealed that, 98% of the population experience human-wildlife conflicts that negatively impacted local livelihood, with cumulative average financial losses amounting to 1, 97,890 FCFA/year/acre (0.40ha) for the six common staple food crops, and an average cumulative surface area damage of 4.75 acres/year (0.19ha). It was revealed that great proximity to the Park edge bear the highest cost of the conflict. Though losses varied with different crop and distance from the Park, this was attributed to population pressure that intensifies farming activities along the Park edge that greatly threatened the sustainable management of wildlife in the study area. It is against this background that an Integrated Conservation Development Project is proposed for a sustainable wildlife management roadmap that would have to confront the drivers of conflict by working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders concerned towards a win-win outcome.

Highlights

IntroductionImpacts of human wildlife conflicts (HWC) can range from injury, death, loss of crops and livestock, damaged infrastructure, disease transmission on humans and wildlife (Tangie et al, 2018)
Wildlife contributes directly or indirectly to the state of local livelihood
Survey reports from respondents of Kimbi village showed how they are more vulnerable as their limited portions of farmland are located at the park edge

Summary

Introduction

Impacts of human wildlife conflicts (HWC) can range from injury, death, loss of crops and livestock, damaged infrastructure, disease transmission on humans and wildlife (Tangie et al, 2018). TSI Evaristus Angwafo, Nkengafac Michael Benazia, and Mvo Denis Chuo into smaller pockets of uncomfortable habitat; humans and wildlife are increasingly coming into contact and in conflict with one another (Madden, 2008; Lamarque et al, 2009). A wide variety of wildlife comes into conflict with farming activities for search of resources and so cause crop damage and wildlife mortality (Madden, 2008). Humaninduced wildlife mortality affects the population, and has wider environmental impacts on ecosystem equilibrium and biodiversity conservation (Tchamba, 1996)

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