Population ecology of non-human primates and their conflict with humans in Lamo Forest and the surrounding fragmented forests of South-Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Human-primate conflicts are a growing threat to conservation, particularly in low-income, densely populated regions like Ethiopia, where habitat fragmentation and crop raiding intensify tensions between expanding human populations and non-human primates. This study, conducted from January 2023 to August 2024 in Lamo Forest and surrounding fragmented forests of South-Central Ethiopia, aimed to investigate the population ecology of non-human primates and evaluate the dynamics of human-primate conflicts to inform coexistence strategies. The research used distance sampling techniques for primate density estimates and community surveys (individual interview and focus groups discussion) to assess human-primates conflict levels. The mean population density (individuals per km²) was 12.81 ± 3.4 for grivet monkeys, 11.76 ± 2.68 for Olive baboons, 10.06 ± 2.93 for mantled guereza, and 6.23 ± 0.9 for black colobus monkeys. Most respondents (48.1%, n = 165) identified crop damage as the primary conflict cause and the least one was human attack (7.6%, n = 26). The most damaged crops were Zea mays (29.7%, n = 102) and Musa acuminate (17.8%, n = 61). Over five years, total crop losses reached 18,373 kg, valued at US $13,852.18, with an annual loss of $2,770.44 per village, or $8.08 per household. Livestock losses totaled $139,814, averaging an annual loss of $27,962.8, or $81.52 per respondent. The primary strategy for preventing crop damage and livestock predation was physical guarding, employed by 35% of respondents ( n = 120), followed by chasing (28%) and fencing (16%). Future research must conduct longitudinal monitoring of primate population trends, community-led surveys to map conflict hotspots and assess economic impacts on farmers, and pilot testing of targeted interventions to foster peaceful coexistence.