A new study published in the open-access journal BioRisk has highlighted a powerful wave of local support for wildlife conservation in the Hamer District of South Omo, Ethiopia, despite severe environmental pressures.
Researchers from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, the Gullele Botanic Garden, and the University of Szczecin investigated the primary factors driving habitat degradation and evaluated whether communities are prepared to support future conservation strategies.
The investigation, which was carried out through household surveys, focus group discussions, and field observations, revealed that local wildlife populations are under critical strain. An overwhelming majority of the surveyed residents, precisely 82.3 per cent, reported a noticeable decline in wild animal numbers within their vicinity.
Participants identified deforestation and overgrazing as the most significant hazards to local biodiversity, with 63.5 per cent selecting forest clearing as the primary threat and 50.0 per cent identifying livestock overgrazing as the secondary threat. These human-induced activities are exacerbated by recurrent droughts and changing climate patterns, forcing pastoralist communities to venture deeper into natural habitats to seek fodder and water for their livestock.
Despite facing these daily challenges for survival, the local community demonstrated a remarkable commitment to environmental stewardship. The researchers found that 90.6 per cent of the respondents expressed an explicit willingness to participate actively in future wildlife conservation initiatives.
Further, 96.9 per cent of those interviewed acknowledged that the responsibility to safeguard local species rests directly with the community itself, while 99 per cent stated that intervention programmes are an urgent necessity. Statistical modelling demonstrated that factors such as the specific locality, gender, marital status, and length of residence significantly influence an individual’s openness to conservation efforts.
The study notes that local inhabitants traditionally interact with wildlife for various purposes, including utilising certain species for food, traditional remedies, or cultural decorations. However, these practices, combined with habitat loss, have pushed several animals to the brink, leaving the local presence of iconic species such as giraffes and ostriches highly uncertain.
To foster sustainable coexistence between humans and wild animals, the authors recommend implementing managed livestock husbandry practices and constructing dedicated water ponds to alleviate resource competition during dry spells.
They also advocate for the promotion of ecotourism, community-led management initiatives, and stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws to curb illegal hunting and habitat destruction in the region.
Original source:
Temesgen Z, Biru Y, Gibru A (2026) Anthropogenic threats and challenges of wildlife conservation in Hamer District, South Omo, Ethiopia. BioRisk 24: 69-84. https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.24.175449
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