Abstract
Attempts to deal with human–animal conflicts are often beset with difficulties due to a lack of local consultation and appreciation of local knowledge systems. We address these issues by investigating human–wildlife conflict, specifically crop-raiding, as experienced by a population of Fulani living within the highland enclaves of Gashaka Gumti National Park. We classify sources of risk and perceived benefits experienced by the Fulani, who are traditionally pastoralists but have taken on a settled lifestyle. By distinguishing between risk incidence and severity of subjective risk perceptions we view crop-damage in the context of other costs and benefits associated with living in the enclaves and more specifically with living inside a national park. Attitudes toward specific crop depredating wildlife and domestic animals are also investigated, as well as reasons for recent changes in agricultural productivity and cattle herd dynamics. Results show that prosperity of livestock was considered the greatest benefit of living in the highland enclaves, whilst the secure environment afforded by the park authorities, contributing to the safety of family and cows, was identified as the greatest benefit of living inside the national park. The greatest perceived risk to local livelihoods associated with living in the enclaves was damage to crops, whilst the most serious problem with living in the park was prohibitions on the use of local resources. Animal damage by 16 species was rated as the risk that had the greatest negative impact on crop yields. The olive baboon was considered to pose the greatest threat to subsistence. Comparisons then made with actual recorded amounts of damage revealed a significant disparity. Why such a disparity should exist is complex. The Fulani live in the enclaves, not because they wish to farm, but because it is a good place to rear cattle. Adverse changes in crop productivity are perceived to have a direct negative impact on herd size, but the socio-economic status of individuals may well determine the reasons for diversification from pastoralism into farming. This may influence the identification of particular sources of risk which, in turn, affects how an individual perceives the park authorities and the animals they are charged to protect.
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Bennett, D., Ross, C. (2011). Fulani of the Highlands: Costs and Benefits of Living in National Park Enclaves. In: Sommer, V., Ross, C. (eds) Primates of Gashaka. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects, vol 35. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7403-7_6
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