Perception and attitude of the local people toward carnivore population and conservation in the Faragosa‐Fura landscape of the Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Abstract

Local people's perceptions and attitudes toward wildlife have been advocatingfor the success of biodiversity conservation. However, area-specific data on local people's perceptions and attitudes toward carnivore populations and conservation in human-dominated landscapes are scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate local people's perceptions of carnivore population abundance and trend, as well as their attitudes toward carnivore conservation in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We collected data from 352 households' interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and photographic sampling of 13 carnivore species in 2020. About 57% of respondents perceived the population abundance trend of carnivores had decreased between 2015 and 2019. The reported decline was higher for lions, caracals, and leopards, while the increase was higher for common genets and mongooses. The reported population abundance of carnivore species varied significantly. Only marginally more people (52%) opposed carnivore conservation, citing livestock predation as the primary reason. Two thirds of respondents opposed the conservation of spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, common genets, and mongoose species while supporting the conservation of lions, caracals, African civets, and leopards. Respondents' livestock number was the most important factor significantly affecting all three models (population abundance, population trend, and support for conservation). Age and education status were displayed to have an effect on population abundance and trend models, while gender, land size, and damage to livestock were shown to have an effect on one of the two models. Thus, we recommend that awareness raising of human-carnivore coexistence through adult education programs be targeted at people who oppose conservation, own more livestock, experience more livestock damage, and have not received formal education. Also, effective livestock husbandry practices should be implemented to promote peaceful human-carnivore coexistence.

Opinions, attitudes and perceptions of local people towards the conservation of Nigeria‐Cameroon chimpanzees in Mpem‐Djim National Park, central Cameroon

“…However, the impact of age and gender on LEK about chimpanzees is somehow controversial. Some studies find similar effects as in our study (Gebo et al., 2022; Sousa et al., 2014; Teixeira et al., 2021), where other studies did not (Junior et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2020). These differences are discussed as reflecting varying histories and tradition of forest use among local communities (Da Silva Costa et al., 2023).…”

“…(3) We evaluated how the local people perceive the current management system implemented by the government in MNDP. As in similar previous studies (Gebo et al., 2022; Mendako et al., 2022; Penjor et al., 2021), we predicted that age, gender, household size, level of education of interviewees and distance between their place of residence and the park would be positively related to respondents perceptions, attitudes and opinions with males showing higher LEK than females. We also predict that most of the respondents will not have strong LEK about chimpanzees and will be very disappointed with the current MNDP management system.…”

“…Yang et al (2015) also found that the majority of respondents were disappointed with the management of the Bulong Nature Reserve (BNR). People's attitudes and beliefs towards wildlife can also be affected by demographic factors, such as age, gender, household size (Gebo et al, 2022;Mendako et al, 2022;Penjor et al, 2021), the size of the land (Xu et al, 2006) or by other socioeconomic factors such as the main source of income and the number of livestock in the household (Biset et al, 2019;Gebresenbet et al, 2018). The neglect of the above research topics would result in ignorance of the human dimension in MNDP management.…”

“…Due to their proximity with natural habitat (Kusi et al., 2020), local people may have strong LEK about their ecosystem (Brasileiro et al., 2011; Simo et al., 2020). According to some studies, LEK can be a source of valuable biological information on species abundance, population trends and human–wildlife conflicts (Casanova et al., 2014; Fopa et al., 2020; Gebo et al., 2022; Kamgang et al., 2021; Teixeira et al., 2021; Zayonc & Coomes, 2022). Furthermore, by providing information on nocturnal, elusive or data‐deficient species and threats (Marneweck et al., 2021; Mouafo et al., 2021), LEK can inform management activities (Cortés‐Avizanda et al., 2018).…”

Perceptions of farmers towards carnivores in an Ethiopian protected area

“…Studies (e.g. Berhanu et al, 2022; Gebo et al, 2022; Miller et al, 2016) stated that local people and carnivores are in conflict due to overlapping resource demand in different parts of the country and elsewhere.…”