Human - Wildlife Conflict: Intensity of Domestic Damage Caused by Wild Animals around Yegof National Forest Priority Area, South Wollo, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Damage manifestations in terms of crop damage and livestock depredation are common in Ethiopia and reporting of such domestic damage in the vicinity of Yegof National Forest Priority Area was achieved by collecting information using the pretested semi-structured questionnaire from November 2013 to May 2014. The anubis baboon (Papio anubis) and grivet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) were identified as major crop pests and maize crop was more vulnerable than other crops. Increase in population of crop raiders was perceived reason for crop damage. Guarding was the best believed mitigation strategy. Though the informants lack remedial measures, some alternative was suggested to minimize primates through displacing them to other areas and remove them completely. Leopard (Panthera pardus) and striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) were reported as major predators of livestock and both accounts for a loss of 1,993 domestic animals, hitherto. Despite this loss, most of the informants had positive attitude. In conclusion, the study area demands for sustainable and culturally acceptable conservation solutions to mitigate domestic damage.