Factors Affecting Conservation of Grevy’s zebra/Equus grevyi/ in Alledeghi-Assebot Proposed National Park, south eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract This research was carried out in Alledeghi Assebot Proposed National Park, which is located in Afar region in the southeast of Ethiopia. Data were collected from March 2021 to April, 2022 using household survey, key informant interviews, field observation, and walking along transect line. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and responses rate were compared using chi-square test. 90 % of the participants were men, and 68.7% were illiterate. The average age of the respondent was 30. Habitat degradation (94.7%), disintegrated development (92.4%) and poor law enforcement (90.7%) were the major top three conservation threat for Grevy zebra and their relative threat factor severity index are 0.38, 0.378, and 0.356, respectively. There is highly significant difference among literate and illiterate respondents (𝜒2 =51.84, df=1, p= 0.00 < 0.05). Furthermore, there is significant difference between gender of the respondents (𝜒2 =21.98, df=1, p= 0.001 < 0.05). Close monitoring of Grevy’s zebra population during prolonged droughts need to be carried out by scouts and additional water provision need to be made to ensure continued access to declining water sources and avoid impact of corridor closing due to settlement. The government and other stakeholders should give attention to address the prioritized threats.