Bekele Afework (Professor)Simeneh Getachew2018-07-102023-11-082018-07-102023-11-082010-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/7696The study was aimed at revealing the day time habitat use and diet of golden jackal (Canis aureus) and human - carnivore conflict around Guassa-Menz Community Conservation Area. Data were collected from October, 2009 to April, 2010. Day time habitat use of golden jackal was recorded through focal group watch both in human dominated major agro-ecosystem and the conservation area. Scat analysis was carried out to determine prey items of jackals. Questionnaire survey was used to study attitudes of the local people to wildlife conservation in general and the Ethiopian wolf and golden jackal in particular. This method was also applied to reveal the degree of human - carnivore conflict in the study area. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 10 computer software program. Golden jackals during the day time use habitat cover to avoid human detection. They preferred habitat type with tall and thick vegetation cover. In human dominated major agro-ecosystem, they were observed sheltering in burrows and caves. Rodents were the principal prey items with 57.06% frequency of occurrence. The kill using traditional rodent trap ‘Difit’ along cultivated farmlands was important rodent source to golden jackals. Plant materials and insects were also important diet components. Among livestock, only sheep parts were identified in the scats of golden jackals. 75.6% of respondents showed positive attitude to wildlife, specially to the Ethiopian wolf. Human - carnivore conflict was a serious problem in Guassa. Livestock and pack animal predation was recorded by golden jackal (Canis aureus), Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and serval cat (Felis serval). However, the conflict with golden jackals was serious. From the total predated livestock 74.59% was by golden jackals. Sheep predation by golden jackals was more intense. Sheep predation was positively correlated with grazing in the bushland (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). To protect sheep predation the local people persuade, and even poison golden jackals. Key words / phrases: Diet, habitat use, human - carnivore conflict, golden jackalenDiet; habitat use;humancarnivore conflictgolden jackalThesis