Anshebo Meselech, Megaze Aberham, Dobamo Taye
Department of Biology, Wolaita Sodo University, P.O. Box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
BMC Zool. 2025 Jul 1;10(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s40850-025-00229-z.
Human-primate conflict is a global conservation challenge, particularly in densely populated, low-income countries like Ethiopia. The Omo River Valley forest belt, spanning across the Omo River in Ethiopia to Lake Turkana in Kenya, harbors a diverse array of African primate species. An investigation on non-human primate population density and human primate conflict was carried out from January 2022 to December 2023 in the Tembaro Community Conserved Forest, Omo River basin, South Central Ethiopia. The population density of non-human primates was estimated using distance sampling method, and the intensity of conflict among human-primate was quantified by a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions.
The study revealed some interesting results which include the presence of black colobus monkeys (Colobus satanas) in Ethiopia. The mean density of Anubis baboons (Papio anubis) was 10.06 ± 2.93, grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) 17.09 ± 4.53, black colobus monkeys (Colobus satanas) (vulnerable primate species in Africa) was 8.3 ± 1.20, and mantled guerezas (Colobus guereza) was 14.76 ± 3.57 individuals/km. Crop damage and livestock predation were prevalent issues in the present study area. Majority of the local village respondents (51.96%, n = 146) reported that crop damage was the common cause of human-primate conflict, followed by livestock predation and crop damage (33.5%, n = 94). Majority of the conflict was caused by Anubis baboon (Papio anubis) (41%, n = 115), followed by grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) (33.1%). The most common cultivated crop by farmers in the study area and the most damaged by the non-human primates was maize (Zea mays) (33.5%, n = 94). The average estimated loss of crops was US$ 6544.50 per year. The average annual loss incurred by each household due to primates predation on their small animals was 94.19 US$. Physical guarding (33%, n = 93) was chosen as the most effective strategy to prevent crop damage and livestock predation.
This study provides valuable insights into primate ecology and the challenges they pose to local communities. The findings reveal varying primate population densities, with Grivet monkeys exhibiting the highest densities. These primate densities contribute significantly to human-wildlife conflict, primarily through crop foraging and livestock predation. While traditional mitigation methods are currently in place, a more sustainable and integrated approach is urgently needed to ensure the harmonious coexistence of primates and local communities. The findings of this study are crucial for developing effective conservation and conflict mitigation strategies that will safeguard the long-term survival of both primates and the livelihoods of local people.
Not applicable.
人类与灵长类动物的冲突是一项全球性的保护挑战，在埃塞俄比亚等人口密集的低收入国家尤为突出。奥莫河谷森林带横跨埃塞俄比亚的奥莫河至肯尼亚的图尔卡纳湖，栖息着种类繁多的非洲灵长类物种。2022年1月至2023年12月，在埃塞俄比亚中南部奥莫河流域的滕巴罗社区保护森林中，开展了一项关于非人类灵长类动物种群密度及人类与灵长类动物冲突的调查。采用距离抽样法估算非人类灵长类动物的种群密度，并通过问卷调查和焦点小组讨论对人类与灵长类动物之间冲突的强度进行量化。
该研究揭示了一些有趣的结果，其中包括埃塞俄比亚存在黑疣猴（Colobus satanas）。东非狒狒（Papio anubis）的平均密度为10.06±2.93只/平方公里，绿猴（Chlorocebus aethiops）为17.09±4.53只/平方公里，黑疣猴（非洲易危灵长类物种）为8.3±1.20只/平方公里，白须僧面猴（Colobus guereza）为14.76±3.57只/平方公里。作物受损和牲畜被捕食是当前研究区域的普遍问题。大多数当地村民受访者（51.96%，n=146）表示，作物受损是人类与灵长类动物冲突的常见原因，其次是牲畜被捕食和作物受损（33.5%，n=94）。大多数冲突是由东非狒狒（Papio anubis）（41%，n=115）引起的，其次是绿猴（Chlorocebus aethiops）（33.1%）。研究区域内农民种植的最常见且受非人类灵长类动物破坏最严重的作物是玉米（Zea mays）（33.5%，n=94）。估计每年作物的平均损失为6544.50美元。每户家庭因灵长类动物捕食其小动物而遭受的年均损失为94.19美元。设置物理防护（33%，n=93）被选为预防作物受损和牲畜被捕食的最有效策略。
本研究为灵长类动物生态学及其给当地社区带来的挑战提供了有价值的见解。研究结果显示灵长类动物种群密度各不相同，绿猴的密度最高。这些灵长类动物的密度对人类与野生动物的冲突有显著影响，主要通过觅食作物和捕食牲畜。虽然目前已有传统的缓解方法，但迫切需要一种更可持续、更综合的方法，以确保灵长类动物与当地社区和谐共存。本研究结果对于制定有效的保护和冲突缓解策略至关重要，这些策略将保障灵长类动物的长期生存以及当地居民的生计。
不适用。
