Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management

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Browsing Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management by Subject "African Civet"

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    Feeding Ecology and Threats to Wild African Civet (Civettictis Civetta) in Chora Woreda, Buno Bedele Zone, Oromia Regional State, South Western Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2018-09-03) Tolesa Bontu; Jebessa Habte (PhD)
    Feeding ecology and threats to wild African civet (Civettictis civetta) was studied in southwestern Ethiopia, Oromia Regional state, Buno Beddele Zone of Chora woreda from December 2017 to May 2018. A cross sectional research design was employed with descriptive survey method, which has supplemented by qualitative research to enrich quantitative data. In doing so, three kebeles were purposively selected based on distribution of African civet. The objective of the study was to investigate the feeding ecology of the African civet in the wild, to estimate the population survey, to identify the major threats and to examine conservation status of African civet in the wild. African civet is known for its production of civet musk (‘Zibad’) that is used as fixative in perfume industry. Ethiopia is the world’s main supplier of civet musk. In spite of such a remarkable economic importance, little is known about current status of the indigenous population and conservation status of Civettictis civetta in the wild. Diet composition, population status, real threats and conservation status of civets were investigated. In the study sites, 13 civetries were identified, the continuous observation of fresh civet scats were conducted on six civetries which revealed the presence of 18 food items based on analyses of undigested remains of food item. Food items were present in varying frequencies of occurrences between different civetries. A total of 19 civets were recorded from six representative civetries which were selected for current study based on daily counting of fresh dropping in each civetry. About 126 household heads were selected using purposive sampling techniques to study the threat and conservation of African civet in the study area. SPSS software and Descriptive statistics were used to analyses data. The major factors contributing to the reduction of civets are; the fast disappearance of natural forest, attributed to agricultural land expansion, illegal hunting, traditional trapping methods and use for traditional medicine. Despite the fact that there were some efforts on parts of governmental and nongovernmental organization in mobilizing the rural community towards African civet conservation, the efforts of civet conservation by local communities in the study area are not adequate to mitigate the problems of civet decline. Based on the findings it is recommended to encourage and implement the following activities: controlling illegal hunting of African civet, awareness creation, trainings the local communities about conservation and sustainable utilization of civet and other wildlife, controlling illegal clearing of forest and agricultural land expansion, controlling traditional trapping methods of African civet and law enforcement –There should be strong law enforcement on part of the government on those who illegally and indiscriminately trap civet.