Perception of Somali pastoralists in Adadle woreda, Eastern Ethiopia, towards wildlife at the human‐animal interface, conservation and wildlife population change

Abstract Pastoralists and wildlife co‐exist in the Somali Regional State competing for habitat, food water resources. A questionnaire survey conducted among 198 pastoralists, captured information on their perception of against backdrop population decrease, illegal trade lack quantitative qualitative data area. The top perceived threats to livestock were drought (46%), attacks (33.8%) diseases (20.2%). Daily encounters between reported by 61.1% respondents. Herbivores, including warthogs, accounted majority these (88.4%), whereas carnivores rarely observed with livestock, except jackals. (92.9%) respondents did not think that could transmit livestock. Jackals 7.1% rabies. strong dislike was recorded 99% all All stated should be protected. Half see any benefits wildlife. Wildlife populations have decreased over last 10 years, particularly lions cheetahs. Pastoralist's attitudes perceptions towards study area negative, potentially affecting conservation efforts. There is an urgent need improve awareness include integrated human‐livestock‐environment surveillance systems.