Population status and human conflict of common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, LINNAEUS, 1758) In Boye Wetland, Jimma, Ethiopia

摘要

A study on the population status and human conflicts of hippopotamus (H. amphibius) was conducted in Boye wetland, Jimma, Ethiopia between February to August, 2013. Total ground count, field observation, interviews and questionnaire were used to collect data. A total of 59 individuals of hippopotamus were recorded in the study area. Among these, 32.2% were males, 44.1% females and 23.7% young. The male to female sex ratio was 1.00:1.37. But, young to adult individual age ratio was 1.00:3.21. The population structure had no statistical differences at (F = 0.683, df= 2, P = 0.518) level of significance. During the rainy season hippopotamus were migrated into Gibe River. The population size of this animal had no a significance differences between Gibe River and Boye wetland (P>0.05). From questionnaire survey, 47.3% of respondents had negative attitude towards hippopotamus, while 37.3% and 15.5% had positive and neutral attitudes, respectively. Human conflicts and other anthropogenic factors influence population distribution or limit population status of the hippopotamus. Therefore, prohibit the expansion of human settlements, awareness creation programme and local people participation for the conservation was recommended.