THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WILDLIFE RESOURCE IN GAMBELLA NATIONAL PARK, ETHIOPIA
Keywords:
habitat corridors, opportunities, threats, wildlife resources, Gambella National ParkAbstract
The world’s national parks are highly influenced by human activities, and they face many challenges because of community influence. The aim of this study was to assess the opportunities and threats for wildlife resources. It also aimed to distinguish between the consequences associated with wildlife resource threats and factors affecting the attitude of the local community towards wildlife resources in the area. The present findings are based on primary data from local communities, stakeholders, and field visits. Tools for primary data collection were questionnaires, KIs, interviews, and observation checklists. Secondary data was collected from related articles and prior research conducted in the area, as well as documents obtained from offices. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The result of the present study showed that entering Murlea groups from South Sudan, expansion of agriculture, lack of infrastructure, constructing kebeles in and around the national park, wildfire disturbance, and human-wildlife conflict were the main threats to wildlife resources. Habitat loss, wildlife disturbance, human-wild animal conflict, spoils of habitat corridors and wildlife harassment were the major consequences associated with wildlife resource threats in the study area. The level of education, distance from the park, gender, age of the respondent, and size of the family were all factors influencing the local community's attitude toward wildlife resources in the studied areas. The following were the main wildlife resource opportunities in the study area: community awareness of wildlife, the prevalence of alternative job opportunities, the presence of conservation organizations in the study areas, the presence of a community-based conservation approach, and a good relationship between local communities and national parks. The presence of wildlife resource threats in the study area was a frequent problem in GNP. There is a need for further research in order to get better solutions and mitigate the threats to wildlife resources in the Jor district.
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