Anthropogenic Influences on Wildlife Conservation Efforts, Southern Ethiopia

Studies on anthropogenic impacts on wildlife resources were carried out in the newly established Maze National Park, southern Ethiopia. An investigation on anthropogenic impacts in the Park area was made through household... [ view full abstract ]

Studies on anthropogenic impacts on wildlife resources were carried out in the newly established Maze National Park, southern Ethiopia. An investigation on anthropogenic impacts in the Park area was made through household questionnaire survey, direct observation, group discussion and key informant interviews. A total of 230 questionnaires were administered in the four closest villages/ Kebeles' of the three neighboring Weredas households. The majority (60.36%, n=134) of the respondents livestock have grazed and 46.09% (n=106) of them are collecting fire wood both inside and around the Park at the buffer zone. During the study period 35 (35.35%) wild animals were found dead due to car accident. Many (48.53%, n=99) of the local community faced crop damage and livestock loss. Vehicle-wildlife collision and human intrusion are the major problems in the Park area. Livestock predation, crop raiding and encroachment of the local community in to the Park for exploitation of resources are important causes of conflict. Unless proper and urgent measures are taken to limit illegal activities, the benefits from the existing wildlife such as Swayne’s hartebeests which is the endangered and endemic sub-species of the country, and their habitat will continue to decline and the future of the existing species of the Park might be in danger.

Keywords: Impacts, Human-wildlife conflict, Maze National Park, Wildlife Resources