Threats Identification and Human–African Elephant Interactions in Kafta-Shiraro National Park, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to identify the major threats of African elephant in Kafta-Shiraro National Park, Tigray, Ethiopia. The data was collected using questionnaires, interview, discussion with key informants and direct field observation. Currently Kafta-Shiraro National Park was affected by many threats such as Agricultural encroachments (1^st), Traditional mining extraction (2^nd), Deforestation (3^rd), Charcoal production (4^th), Irrigation activity (5^th), Fire (6^th) and Illegal hunting and poaching (7^th) ranking based on the field observation and questionnaire from respondents. Among the main sources of conflict between human–African elephant in the national park were crop damage (57%), competition for resources (19%), necessity of guarding field (12%), destruction of property (8%) and people killed by elephant (4%).  Habitat disturbance, livestock interference, feed shortage and illegal hunting were the main threats of African elephant in the park. Poor community awareness, high population, frees access for resources, weak law enforcement and poor patrolling were the major problems for effective management of elephants in the park. After analyzed the data African elephant conservation training were given for 40 community representatives for 6 consecutive days. Finally the office of the national park should work in collaboration with the local community in order to solve the current threats of the park to sustainable resources for the next generation.

Keywords: African Elephant, Conservation, Human- elephant conflict, Threats

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-9-05

Publication date:May 31^st 2021