Ecology of the Cape Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer Caffer Sparrman, 1779), Land Use Land Cover Change A and the Socio-Ecology of the Jorgo- Wato Protected Forest, Western Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
An ecological investigation on forest inhabited Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer Sparrman,
1779), land–use/ land–cover change and socio-ecology of the Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest was
carried out during July, 2015–June, 2017. The study aimed to describe the population estimates,
distribution and diet composition of buffaloes, and to assess human–buffalo conflicts as well as
bushmeat hunting practices in the Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest. Population size of Cape buffalo was
estimated indirectly from dung counts. Faecal standing crop (FSC) counts and faecal accumulation
rate (FAR) methods were employed during dung counts. Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat
8 OLI (1986, 2001 and 2017) imageries were used to analyse LU/LC changes of the area to infer its
impact on the distribution of buffaloes. Feeding quadrat survey and faecal analysis methods were
employed to determine the diet composition of buffaloes in the area. Various aspects of bushmeat
hunting practices, human–buffalo conflicts and human impact on buffaloes were collected from local
communities and through direct and indirect observations during field surveys. Estimate of Cape
buffalo population in JWPF was 60 (52 to 68) as determined by FSC and FAR methods. Due to
increased anthropogenic activities, buffaloes totally rest in dense forest and thicket riparian
vegetation during the daytime and engage in nocturnal and crepuscular foraging. Thirty-nine plant
species were identified as the main diet composition of Cape buffaloes. Grass accounted for 82.6%,
whereas browse comprised about 17.4% of buffalo diet. Four graminoids (Panicum hochstetteri,
Setaria poiretiana, Digitaria abyssinica, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus distans), two herbs
(Achyranthes aspera, Galinsoga quadriradiata) and one shrub (Dracaena afromontana) species
were identified as annual staple forage of buffaloes. Mean faecal nitrogen and phosphorus contents
were 18.4±0.53g/kg and 4.3±0.39g/kg during the wet and 17.7±0.71g/kg and 3.9±0.36g/kg during
the dry seasons, respectively. Land–use/land–cover change and other anthropogenic activities
synergistically influenced buffalo ranges and their distribution in the area. Crop damage was the
cause of human–buffalo conflicts in the area. Mammals such as Tragelaphus scriptus,
Potamochoerus larvatus, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, Sylvicapra grimmia, Phacochoerus
africanus, Syncerus caffer caffer and Hystrix cristata were illegally hunted for subsistence and
commercial purposes. Gin trap and spears and dogs were the most common hunting tools used in the
area. Inadequate knowledge about wildlife law and ambiguity over the usage of wildlife resulted in
misuse of wildlife and contraction of the area of Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest. Therefore,
implementation of wildlife law and community awareness programmes should be introduced.
Moreover, alternative economic opportunities, modern farming system and development of industry
should be considered to overcome the recent recurring drought driven resettlement programmes and
encroachment in wildlife habitats in the Didessa- Dabena River Valleys.
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Keywords
Bushmeat Hunting, Cape Buffalo, Diet Composition, Didessa-Dabena River, Valleys, Human–Buffalo Conflicts, Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest