International Journal of
Biodiversity and Conservation

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-243X
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJBC
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 681

Article in Press

Threats and attitude of local community towards wildlife conservation in Menz Guassa community conservation area, Ethiopia

TIGIST ANGASU DESTA

  •  Received: 30 October 2019
  •  Accepted: 19 December 2019
The study was conducted in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area, North Showa, Ethiopia to assess the threats of wildlife and local community attitude towards wildlife conservation. It also aimed at distinguishing the driving force that contributes for the threats Questionnaires, and key formant interview were used to collect data. A total of 376 respondents were selected by stratified random sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and responses compared using the Chi-square test. The results of the study indicated that invasive species, harvesting, fuel wood collection, overgrazing and Killing of wild animals were the major threats for wildlife in the area. Different wild animals were killed by the local community, In line with this, baboons, porcupines, rodents, and hyena were the target mammals in the area. The majority (84.4%) of respondents in the study area had a positive attitude towards wildlife conservation while 13.6% of respondents showed a negative attitude towards conservation of wildlife in the area. Livestock competition with wildlife and habitat controlled by invasive species has a great negative impact in the area. In general, awareness creation to local people and enhanced participation of conservation organizations should be needed to reduce the wildlife threat and to control the negative impact.

Keywords: Attitudes, Community conservation, Opportunity, Menz Guassa, Threats