Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species

Wild Animal Status and their Threats in Echefa Forest and Wetland (Proposed In-situ Conservation Site), Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Regional States, Ethiopia

Abstract

Mengistu Molaliegnwale

Assessment of wild animal diversity and their threats was carried out from April 2017 to December 2018 in proposed in situ conservation area ‘Echefa forest and wetlands’, which is adjustment to Kaffa Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire through interview of selected 112 local communities, focus group discussion and direct observation. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 146 wild animals, 24 mammals, 70 bird species, 22 herpetofauna and 30 insect species were identified. However, the wild animal resources declined 99% in the last twenty years due to illegal hunting 68.8% followed by habitat loss 22.3%. About 87.5% of the communities have both negative and positive attitudes towards wild animals in the area. The negative attitudes might be linked to high human wild animal conflict 84.8%. Despite the communities were voluntary to participate in conservation, the wild animal are not properly conserved in Echefa wetland and forest. Therefore, establishing a new proposed in-situ conservation site for legal protection is recommended.