Perceptions of the local people towards Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) Conservation in Chora Boter district of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia By: Dessalegn Obsi December 30, 2015 Jimma University, Ethiopia
Overview Introduction Methodology Results Conclusions Recommendation
Introduction The role of people in any conservation plan is very high. Knowing attitudes and perceptions of people on wildlife conservation is a prerequisite task for conservation action (Ebua et al., 2011). Understanding local community knowledge & approaches towards conservation is also important for wildlife conservation (Sundaresan et al., 2012 ; Kahan and Ali, 2015). The success of wildlife conservation is depends on the attitudes of people towards conservation (Katrina, 2010).
Introduction cont. Some people have a lot of influence & are able to get their views put into practice: money, or land, friends, able to convince others that they know what should be done (Sandbrook, 2015). have very little influence and tend not to get their way poor, or they don t know the right people, live in the wrong place don t speak the right language
15 Cranes 1. Eurasian Crane, 2. Black-necked crane, 3. Munktrana, 4. Sandhill Crane, 5. Whooping Crane, 6. Japanese crane, 7. White-naped Crane, 8. Sarus Crane, 9. Australian Crane, 10. Siberian Crane, 11. Wattled Crane, 12. Demoiselle Crane, 13. Blue Crane, 14. Black Crowned Crane, 15. Grey Crowned Crane
Introduction cont. The Black Crowned Crane is one of the six crane species in Africa (Harris and Mirande, 2013). Source: IUCN, 2012
Introduction con The existence of BCC is reported in different parts of Ethiopia Lake Tana;Chimba, Yiganda, Gorgora and Fogera wetlands (Williams et al., 2003; Nowald et al., 2007). In Oromia Regional state (e.g., DebreZeyit, Lake Zeway, Akaki, Endode floodplain, Asendabo, and Boye wetlands), In SNNPSobserved around Boyo wetlands (Nowald et al., 2013). BCCs were also sighted in Jimma Zone, southwestern Ethiopia (Nowald et al., 2007; Tariku and Aticho, 2011; Archibald, 2012; Nowald and Schröder 2012; Archibald, 2015). In 2012, a total of 1,368 BCCs are observed in Ethiopia (Archibeld, 2012).
Introduction con In Ethiopia, BCCs are resident throughout the western parts of the country and the rift valley lakes (Nowald et al., 2007; Aynalem et al., 2010). Use open grasslands, shallow wetlands and grasslands adjacent to water bodies for feeding, breeding and resting (Williams et al., 2003;Diagana, 2006; IUCN, 2012). The species experience local daily and seasonal movements for searching of feeds and breeding sites (Meine and Archibald, 1996).
Introduction con The BCC vulnerable species (IUCN, 2012). Its population is declining across its home range and even in some countries disappearing (Meine and Archibeld, 1996; Williams et al., 2003; Boere et al., 2006; Beilfuss et al., 2007; IUCN, 2012; Harris and Mirande, 2013). It is predicted that the population decline will continuous in the future due to habitat loss and trapping of cranes for domestication (IUCN, 2012).
Why we focus on birds? Bird-watching tourism world-wide appears to be growing rapidly amongst Western travelers which substantially enhance local economies (Jones and Buckley, 2000). Diversity of birds and calls of birds constituted a major components of visitor satisfaction (Tisdell and Wilson (2004) Bird-watching Can Help Eco-Tourism Fly High in a Green Economy (UNEP, 2012)
Why birds? About 43 airlines bears birds on airlines and many countries used as stamp designers and postal services to feature the birds as national messengers to be sent around the globe. What about cranes? Today, cranes are presented to the public in many variations 6 airlines bear the crane 1. Lufthansa (German) 2. Shanghai airlines (China Eastern Airlines ) 3. Xiamen airlines (China Southern airlines) 4. Japans' airlines (Japan) 5. Polish airlines (Poland) 6. Uganda airlines (Uganda)
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Materials and Methods
Materials and Methods Household survey: Dire Mecha village, (105) were sampled from Dire mecha village near to Chalalaki wetlands Field observation Focus group discussions (FGD) Due to the limited number and its preference of open habitats, complete counts method (Dowding and Greene, 2012). Multiple count method of (Gregory et al., 2004) also applied to analyze population variation over time in the study area
Materials and Methods Equipments : GPS, Bushnell binocular 10*42, digital and video camera, and notebook was used for data recording
Results
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Results The seasonal movement of BCCs from one area to another for searching of diet and nest was a main factor for variation of this species from season to seasons (Meine and Archibald, 1996).
Results
Summary and Conclusions The local communities have low understanding on the population distribution & breeding status. Human-crane conflict is very low, and the society have positive attitude toward Black crowned crane. However, there is a conflict with certain respondents due to crop damage by crane. The local communities are converting wetlands to agricultural fields that will affect the breeding & nesting habitats of the BCCs. Public awareness on the role of wetlands for biodiversity and ecosystem services is a vital phenomenon that will change the attitudes of the community in a sustainable way.
Recommendations Awareness creations are strongly important on the value of wetlands The governmental and NGO s should work on the conservation of Wetlands and cranes The local government should promote Chalalaka wetlands as one of the potential ecotourism site Further research should be conducted on the ecology and distribution of BCCs
Acknowledgments This project is financial supported by the Rufford Foundation, UK based charity. The foundation offers small grants for nature conservation around the world. Jimma University contribute in-kind contribution to the success of this project Research equipment was supported by IDEA WILD Organization The workshop is organized through STRONGBOW Project
Thank you! Galatooma!