Human carnivore conflict in and around Borena Sayint Worehimanu National Park, South Wollo, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study design

Human carnivore conflict is a global issue for conservationists, especially in protected areas such as national parks. Research on human carnivore conflict around the Borena Saynt Worehimenu National Park has been conducted with the aim of assessing the conflict between communities and carnivores. A cross-sectional study design was used to investigate human carnivore conflict in the community of the study area. Among the six bordering woreda (District), four were selected purposively for the study. From each woreda, the village, which is the immediate boundary to the park, was included. Both open- and close-ended questionnaires were administered to 573 randomly selected respondents. A total of six carnivorous species and one opportunistic omnivorous species were reported as predators of domestic animals, causing conflict. Pantera pardus and Crocuta crocuta are the most reported carnivores, with contributions of 46.9% and 26.5%, respectively, to the conflict. Together, sheep and goats are the most common domestic prey, accounting for approximately 71.6% of the prey species. The majority of predation occurs during the day, when domestic animals graze in the communal land. A total of 45.7% of the respondents reported that the degree of conflict has increased in the last three years. Poisoning the remaining parts (43.6%) is the most common response of farmers, while their domestic animals are killed by carnivores, as a revenge followed by chasing (28.8%) and then direct killing (18.8%) as revenge. The total economic cost of carnivore depredation was substantial 22,968,500 ETB (166438 USD). Farmers use guarding and physical barrier techniques, to protect their domestic herd from predators. The respondents believed that effective government intervention should focus on providing alternative livelihoods and compensation for losses of livestock and property. The conflict was attributed to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and a lack of compensation. The establishment of livestock insurance programs; community-based conservation and benefit sharing; the creation of alternative livelihoods; and education and implementation of regulations are essential measures for reducing and managing conflicts.