Submission ID 131497
| Issue/Objective | Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a growing One Health governance challenge where biodiversity conservation intersects with livelihoods and health systems. In Chebera Churchura National Park, Southwest Ethiopia, close human-livestock-wildlife interactions create persistent interface dynamics. Despite recognition, integrated health linkages and implementation constraints remain underexplored. This study examines lived experiences, stakeholder perceptions, and system-level barriers, aligned with Sub-theme 3: From Evidence to Impact. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A phenomenological qualitative design was conducted in five kebeles bordering Chebera Churchura National Park (Chebera, Delba, Koysha (near Koysha Dam area, Chebera, and Seri-Shewa). Data were collected between September and October 2024 through 40 in-depth and key informant interviews, field observations, and document review. Participants included community members, park staff, local administrators, health extension workers, and animal health professionals. Data were triangulated across interviews, field observations, and institutional records and analyzed thematically using a One Health systems framework. |
| Results | Conflicts involving elephants, monkeys, and buffaloes were identified as major pressures on livelihoods, human health, and environmental integrity, driven by competition for land, grazing, and water resources. Shared water sources used by humans, livestock, and wildlife for drinking and washing were widely reported and observed, and were associated with perceived increased interface exposure and zoonotic disease risk. Crop damage and livestock losses were frequently reported. Recurrent malaria episodes, water-related illnesses, and livestock morbidity and mortality were reported, with most malaria cases and perceived zoonotic risks concentrated around Koysha kebele near the Koysha Dam area. Participants described repeated malaria illness despite completing full courses of antimalarial treatment. Cattle deaths persisted despite veterinary care and were commonly described as unexplained febrile illness. System-level constraints included limited cross-sectoral coordination, poor infrastructure, inadequate veterinary service capacity, minimal community participation in governance, unresolved boundary issues, and mistrust between communities and park authorities. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | HWC in Chebera Churchura National Park reflects a fragmented One Health system driven by resource competition and governance constraints. Strengthening intersectoral coordination, improving wildlife and vector-sensitive surveillance, and institutionalizing participatory governance are critical for implementation. These findings translate field evidence into actionable One Health strategies for adaptive health security and equitable human-wildlife coexistence under Sub-theme 3: From Evidence to Impact. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Anteneh Berhane Yeyi School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia Tadesse Gaudu Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia Tarekegn Solomon School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia And Ethiopia Public Health Institute Ararso Tafese Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Kissanet Tesfay Faculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia Akeza Awealom Asgedom Faculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia Berhanu Abera Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia AND College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Belete Debebe Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Studies, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Melaku Getachew Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia Agumas Shibabaw School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia Alfoalem Araba Abiye Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Mukarim Abdurahman School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia Waktole Yadeta School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia Yordanos Tadesse Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Hailu Lemma Department of Environmental Health Science, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia Knight-Jones Theodore International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Siobhan M. Mor Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK and International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Seid Tiku Mereta School of Environmental Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia Mirgissa Kaba Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
