Feeding Ecology And Threats To Wild African Civet (civettictis Civetta) In Chora Woreda Buno Bedele Zone Oromia Regional State South Western Ethiopia

Feeding ecology and threats to wild African civet (Civettictis civetta) was studied in southwesternrnEthiopia, Oromia Regional state, Buno Beddele Zone of Chora woreda from December 2017 to Mayrn2018. A cross sectional research design was employed with descriptive survey method, which hasrnsupplemented by qualitative research to enrich quantitative data. In doing so, three kebeles werernpurposively selected based on distribution of African civet. The objective of the study was to investigaternthe feeding ecology of the African civet in the wild, to estimate the population survey, to identify thernmajor threats and to examine conservation status of African civet in the wild. African civet is known forrnits production of civet musk (‘Zibad’) that is used as fixative in perfume industry. Ethiopia is the world’srnmain supplier of civet musk. In spite of such a remarkable economic importance, little is known aboutrncurrent status of the indigenous population and conservation status of Civettictis civetta in the wild. Dietrncomposition, population status, real threats and conservation status of civets were investigated. In thernstudy sites, 13 civetries were identified, the continuous observation of fresh civet scats were conducted onrnsix civetries which revealed the presence of 18 food items based on analyses of undigested remains ofrnfood item. Food items were present in varying frequencies of occurrences between different civetries. Arntotal of 19 civets were recorded from six representative civetries which were selected for current studyrnbased on daily counting of fresh dropping in each civetry. About 126 household heads were selectedrnusing purposive sampling techniques to study the threat and conservation of African civet in the studyrnarea. SPSS software and Descriptive statistics were used to analyses data. The major factorsrncontributing to the reduction of civets are; the fast disappearance of natural forest, attributed tornagricultural land expansion, illegal hunting, traditional trapping methods and use for traditionalrnmedicine. Despite the fact that there were some efforts on parts of governmental and nongovernmentalrnorganization in mobilizing the rural community towards African civet conservation, the efforts of civetrnconservation by local communities in the study area are not adequate to mitigate the problems of civetrndecline. Based on the findings it is recommended to encourage and implement the following activities:rncontrolling illegal hunting of African civet, awareness creation, trainings the local communities aboutrnconservation and sustainable utilization of civet and other wildlife, controlling illegal clearing of forestrnand agricultural land expansion, controlling traditional trapping methods of African civet and lawrnenforcement –There should be strong law enforcement on part of the government on those who illegallyrnand indiscriminately trap civet.

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