Hmadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) Population Size, Distribution and their Conflict with human in Community Forest in Gasera District of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT

Hamdryas baboons occur in different parts of Ethiopia; the population size has never been studied and determined. There was no research that was conducted on Hamadryas baboon in Gasera district. Farmers around this area facing a challenge due to Hmadryas baboon conflict with human. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess Hmadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) Population Size, Distribution and their Conflict with human in Community forest in Gasera District of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Materials used for this study was GPS to plot study area, camera for scan sampling, Binocular to see Hamadryas baboon from the distance, note pad, pen, pencil and flash was used to record data and video cameras was to insure hamadryas baboon counting. Assessing Population size and distribution of hamadryas baboon was estimated using total count method at three counting sites by line transect. To assess hamadryas baboon conflict with human, questionnaires, and focus group discussion, was used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical method as mean and percentage to analyze responses of the respondents on hamadryas baboonconflict with human, Chi-square test to compare sex and age structure of hamadryas baboon, T-test to compare wet and dry season population size of hamadryas baboon in each study site. The total number of individual during wet season was 1199 and 1146 during the dry season. The average number of hamadryas baboon observed in entire study area during both season was 1173. There was no significant difference between wet and dry season ( = 1.1978, = 1, > 0.05). During the wet season, the individual count from the study area was 16% adult male, 27% adult female, 12% sub adult male, 18% sub adult female, 10% juvenile male, 14% juvenile female, 3% infants. During the dry season, the individual count was 15.8% adult male, 28% adult female, 11.5% sub adult male, 18.5% sub adult female, 9% juvenile male, 14% juvenile female, 2.5% infants. The species of hamadryas baboon in the study area influenced by resource distribution and therefore the highest number of hamadryas baboon was found in Wolda jebesa, Wote chimo and Burkitu respectively. The proportion of female hamdryas baboon was high in all age groups expect infant in which identification of sex is difficult. Most of the respondents responded that there was conflict between human and hamdryas baboon due to crop and, livestock damage, overgrazing, plowing near the forest, and habitat clearance. Most of the respondents responded that training was not given on how to manage conflict so they negative attitude towards hamadryas baboon.