Feeding Ecology of African Civet (Civettictis civetta) and Improved Captive Management for Sustainable Utilization in Illubabora, Ethiopia.
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Date
2015-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was conducted during 2011-2014 in Bedele District, Illubabora Zone of
southwestern Ethiopia. The aim was to investigate feeding ecology of the African civet in
the wild to assess the effect of time range on the civet musk production, to study the
influence of different food items on the amount of civet musk production and to
demonstrate modern methods of civiculture through awareness creation. There were
about 25 ‘civetries’ in the study area to study food items of the African civets in their
natural habitat. Food types, seasonal variations in food items, availability of food and
food preferences of civets were studied. The difference in food availability was
statistically significant between wet and dry seasons. Trapping civets using modern cage
was found to be more suitable than the traditional methods of trapping. The difference in
the weight of civet musk extraction based on intervals of 5, 10 and 15 days was studied.
Extraction with 10 days gap was found to yield optimum civet musk while the second is
15 days interval. The food items given were maize soup, meat and mixed food made of
bone, blood and meat products. The civet musk production with mixed food was found to
yield optimum civet musk, and the regular supply of meat is the next. The different
‘civet’ collection of pure musk extraction is highly correlated (r = 0.990, P < 0.05). The
correlation of ‘debisa’ extraction are significant (r = 0.993, P< 0.05). The amount of civet
musk extracted from African civets was statistically significant (F = 2039.5, df = 2, P <
0.05). The production of civet musk was influenced by time gap and quality of food
containing high protein contents. Male civet was found to produce more musk. Modern
methods to manage African civets in captivity were demonstrated. Modern cages for
trapping and keeping civets were demonstrated and attitudinal changes of civet farmers
were observed.
Key words: African civet, Civet farmers, Civet musk extraction, feeding ecology,
captive management
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Keywords
African Civet, Civet Farmers, Civet Musk Extraction, Feeding Ecology, Captive Management