Population Size, habitat association of Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and their impact on agricultural crops around Diregudo forest in Gololcha woreda, South East, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The study deals with the population size, habitat association of common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and their impact on agricultural crops was carried out in Diregudo forest. To conduct the animal survey the forest were divided in to three habitats namely mixed grass land, bush land and wood land. Depending on the vegetation type representative habitats were randomly selected in each habitat animal survey was conducted using line transects. Fefteen line transects were laid down and along each line transect animal survey was conducted. The study was carried out by means of a semi-structured questionnaire along with one focus group discussion at each kebale was held. For data analysis SPSS version 19computer software and descriptive statics were used. During study period the maximum number of common warthog recorded was 50 during the wet season and the lowest 41 during the dry season. The highest population was observed in Koji mixed grassland (43) accompanied by Qumbile Bush land (28) and the lowest population was observed in laga allo wood land (20 during wet and dry season). The present study indicates that 18.68%, of warthog population was adult male, 23.08%%, of the warthog population was sub adult female, 27.47% was adult female and more than 16.48% of the population was young ones. Age category was recognized as important factor for the attitude of communities towards the reserve area. The majority of 59 % of the respondents > 59 age group had negative attitude towards the forest. 43.2% of illiterate respondents show the negative attitude towards protected area and the high school and elementary educational level had positive attitude towards the reserve area. Damaging crops by the Warthog resulted in the majority (69.86 %) of respondents to reflect as a harmful animal on their livelihood. Furthermore, the common warthog damage crop both day and night time. Wheat is the second preferable crop next to maize. Guarding was considered as the most and successful defensive way to reducing the damage of their crops from the animal in the area. Encroachment activities from the people have the greatest challenge to the survival of the warthog in the forest. If not prominent action is taken to solve the problems, the forest will no longer act as conservation area. Because of this the right conservation procedures have to be made and the way community became benefited from conservation in various ways. 1