In Ethiopia, most of the studies on mammals have focused on single species and protected areas. This survey investigated the impacts of habitats and seasons on the medium and largesized mammals†™ diversity and distribution in a human-dominated landscape. This survey was conducted using 36 systematically distributed transect lines within stratified habitat types. A total of 685 records belonging to 21 species, six orders, and 13 families were identified, including globally vulnerable Panthera leo, Panthera pardus, and Hippopotamus amphibious. Overall, Papio anubis and Chlorocebus aethiops were the dominant species recorded in the area. Except for three species, all species encountered in the three habitats are subsets of the species recorded in the grassland. The species record frequency was highest in the forest. The dry season characterized by a higher frequency of records but by lower species richness than the wet season. In general, the study area is potential for mammalian species conservation in Ethiopia.

Local people knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) have played an important role in human-wildlife coexistence and have received increased attention in biodiversity conservation. However, studies on the KAP of local people towards human-carnivore coexistence (HCC) are scarce, species-specific or limited to the protected areas. Therefore, we investigated the local people KAP towards carnivore coexistence with humans, the problem of livestock and mitigation practices in a human-dominated landscape of southern Ethiopia. We collected the data from 352 households interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and photographic sampling. The respondents mentioned 13 carnivores coexisting with local people belonging to six families. Eighty-five percent of the respondents perceived carnivores as problematic species and expressed a negative attitude towards them, primarily due to the damage they caused to their livestock. Respondents who had better knowledge of carnivores also showed a positive attitude towards carnivores. The cluster analysis showed that the spotted hyena, serval, leopard, common genet and black-backed jackal were grouped under a high-threat cluster. Chickens and goats were the most threatened livestock reported by respondents. The main predation control methods reported were guarding and fencing for larger livestock and keeping chickens indoors during the night. The regression models predicted that males and literate respondents had better knowledge of carnivores than females and illiterates. The respondents who owned more livestock experienced more damage to livestock, and females showed a negative attitude towards carnivores. Although the study area is the critical conservation value of the 13 carnivore species, livestock predation by carnivores, the local people's negative attitude towards carnivores and lethal predation control methods practiced by local people were affecting HCC in the area. The findings call for conservation actions such as conservation education to raise awareness and develop a positive attitude and non-lethal predation mitigation measures to promote HCC in consultation with the local community.

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.

No abstract

Understanding the species richness and distribution of carnivores across anthropogenic land-use types in an area is an essential first step for biodiversity conservation and human-carnivore coexistence. However, quantitative data on carnivore species coexisting with humans in different land-use types remain largely missing. Thus, this paper investigated the effect of anthropogenic land-use and landscape drivers on carnivore species richness and distribution in the Faragosa-Fura Landscape, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. To collect data, we employed the line transect method using three complementary field surveys techniques: sign survey, camera-trapping, and opportunistic sighting survey during wet and dry seasons in 2020 and 2021. We stratified the study landscape into five land-use types- forest, wetland, grassland, agricultural land, and settlement. The result proved the occurrence of 12 carnivore species belonging to six families, including vulnerable Felidae species - Panthera pardus. Family Felidae and Herpestidae were composed of a greater number of species, while Hyaenidae and Mustelidae were each represented by single species. Out of identified species, only two species (Panthera pardus and Crocuta crocuta) were large-sized, while the rest were medium and small-sized carnivores. Overall, the mean richness of the study area was 5.73±0.284(SE). The species richness was highest in the wetland (n = 12, mean = 7.67±0.494(SE)) and lowest in the settlement (n = 5, mean = 4.25±0.479(SE)). The regression analysis showed that most of the carnivores displayed a strong negative relationship with agriculture, roads, and settlement while displayed a strong positive relationship with wetland and forest. In general, out of 32 species recorded in Ethiopia, this study quantified 12 carnivore species that signify the area is an important area for wildlife conservation in Ethiopia. Further, the study concluded that the wetland is the most important habitat, particularly for larger-sized and habitat specialists while anthropogenic land-uses types adversely affecting species richness. Thus, a generic paradigm to reconcile land management and biodiversity conservation is highly important.

Anthropogenic land-use changes pose significant threats to the diversity and occurrence of wildlife species around the world. We investigated how land-use and environmental factors affect the richness and occurrence of carnivore species in the Faragosa-Fura Landscape of the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We used the line transect method to collect data, combining three complementary field survey techniques: sign survey, camera trapping, and opportunistic sighting surveys. We confirmed the presence of 12 carnivore species belonging to six families, including the vulnerable Felidae species Panthera pardus. More species were found in the family’s Felidae and Herpestidae, while Hyaenidae and Mustelidae were composed of a single species each. The two large-sized species identified were Panthera pardus and Crocuta crocuta. The species richness was the highest in wetlands, while it was the lowest in the settlement. The occurrence of most carnivores was negatively associated with agricultural land and settlements, while they were positively associated with wetlands and altitude. Genetta genetta had the highest occurrence, while Panthera pardus had the lowest in the area. We concluded that of the studied habitats, wetlands are the most important, and anthropogenic land-uses have a negative impact on species richness. Our findings provide valuable baseline data for stakeholders making critical conservation decisions as well as researchers conducting related ecological studies in a human-dominated landscape. Based on our findings, we propose a basic approach for integrating land management and wildlife conservation.Article Highlights Twelve carnivore species belonging to six families were identified; only two were large-sized. The species richness was the highest in wetlands, while it was the lowest in settlements and agricultural land. Most species tended to have positive associations with higher altitudes and wetlands and negative associations with settlements, agricultural land, and roads. Our finding highlights valuable baseline data for critical conservation decisions as well as researchers in a human-dominated landscape.

No abstract