Human-Ethiopian wolf conflict in and around the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Information on the attitude of local people on the Ethiopian wolf in and around the Simien Mountains National Park was collected between September, 2005 and March, 2006 by means of face-to-face questionnaire survey and faecal dropping analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and responses compared using Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the attitude of respondents towards the Ethiopian wolf. The analysis indicated that 73.1% of the respondents had positive attitude towards the Ethiopian wolf. On the other hand, 18.3% of the respondents reported the loss of sheep to the Ethiopian wolf. Distance from the Park and sheep predation were not related (r = 0.06, P>0.05). However, when considering the distance from the Ethiopian wolf habitat, there was a negative correlation (r = -0.44, P<0.05) between sheep loss to the Ethiopian wolf and distance from the habitat of the Ethiopian wolf. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.17, P<0.05) between predation by the Ethiopian wolf and tht number of sheep in the area. The faecal droppings of the Ethiopian wolf revealed that 97.8% constituted rodent species. The average sheep loss by the Ethiopian wolf per year per household was 0.62 ± 0.09. Based on this proportion, there is minimal conflict between the local people and the Ethiopian wolf in the study area. However, concerned organizations should take coordinated measure to conserve the population of Ethiopian wolf and reduce such conflict even if it occurs at a minimal level. © National Institute of Ecology, New Delhi.