HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN AND AROUND HUWEN FOREST, LEKA DULECHA DISTRICT, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

The investigation on human-wildlife conflict was carried out in and around Huwen forest in Leka Dulecha district in Western Ethiopia in 2018/2019 around Huwen forest. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the human-wildlife conflict with its cause and effects in and around Huwen forest. Also to identify wild animal species that pose major conflict, to investigate the effect of wildlife on the livelihoods of the people, and to suggest some possible solutions to mitigate the problems caused by the human-wildlife conflict in the area. The research used descriptive method, data were analyzed using SPSS and the respondents’ responses were described and compared by using Chi-square and correlation. The problem of Human-wildlife conflict in and around Huwen forest can be manifested through crop damage, livestock predation, and threats to the dwellers and the wildlife. The respondents reported that they utilized the forest as grazing land for their livestock and as a source of firewood. The majority (63.7%) of the respondents reported crop damage and (55.9%) of them reported livestock depredation as major causes of conflict between the inhabitants and the wildlife around Huwen Forest. The most crop raiders identified were anubis baboon, vervet monkey and wild Pig, and maize was the main crop vulnerable to raid by wild animals in the area. The respondents reported spotted hyena, Anubis baboon, jackal, leopards and lions as causes of threat to the livestock in the study area. Spotted hyena caused the most pronounced threat to livestock; whereas, the main domestic animals vulnerable to predators were sheep and chickens. Because of property loss due to the wildlife, the local community faced shortage of food, low income and guarding related problems. The inhabitants used guarding, chasing by dog, trap materials, scarecrows and hunting methods for preventing the wild animals. The community living adjacent to Huwen forest was more at risk of conflict. The raising status of problematic animals the problem of losing possession, and the expansion of human population, agricultural lands and modification of forest escalate the human wildlife conflict. The surrounding community was affected because of the negative interaction between the human beings and the wildlife. Human-wildlife conflict on the community resulted in low-income, food shortage through losing crops and livestock, rabies virus transmission and other guarding related problems. Thus, The Huwen forest Authorities and management agency could provide direct or indirect benefit or compensation to the areas affected by the wildlife through establishing community development projects, such as; schools, hospitals and other infrastructure

. Key words: Human wildlife conflict, crop loss, livestock depredation, crop raider,