Illegal Hunting Of Wildlife In Buno Bedele Zone, Borecha Woreda, Oromia Regional State, Southwestern Ethiopia

Illegal harvesting is the most significant threat to biodiversity in Ethiopia. Similar problem is facing in Borecha Woreda (Ameto, Leka Siden and Markafo kebele). The aim of this study was to assess the drivers and impacts of illegal hunting. For this study, cross-sectional and longitudinal research designs were employed. To collect necessary data through interview and focus group discussion cross-sectional design was employed and longitudinal research design was used for quantification and identification of wildlife while hunters engaged on hunting. Primary data collection tools were interviews; focus group discussion and observation checklists. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. and explained in number and percent and presented in tables and figures. The rest data explained qualitatively. The findings revealed that the main deriver of illegal hunting in the study area were increased demand of bushmeat, cultural influence, protection form crop and livestock and medicinal purpose, common method hunters used for hunting were spear and Wire snare. The number of wildlife is highly decreasing compared to the past ten fifteen years due to intensive illegal hunting. Awareness creation and educating the community about illegal hunting impacts and importance of wildlife conservation, establishing ground rules at local government level in collaboration of woreda Wildlife management office, kebele leaders, religious leaders, elders and youths to reduce illegal hunting, implementing effective anti-poaching patrol during hunting season and implementing effective law enforcement are strategies that were suggested to reduce the problem.