Crop damage by wildlife is a significant threat to global conservation and human
development. This interdisciplinary study compared the actual and perceived risk of
primate crop raiding around Budongo Forest Reserve, northwest Uganda during
2004/2005.
Weekly farm monitoring established that at least seven wild species damage crops. and
primates (primarily baboons) are responsible for forty percent of all raids. The creation
of risk maps using GIS technology and logistic regression revealed that those
cultivating maize close to the forest edge are particularly vulnerable to loss. An
elevated level of human presence was found to significantly reduce raids by wild
species although it is not considered effective due to the high social cost. Overall the
majority of farmers experience little damage by wildlife and many other factors limit
agricultural production e.g. insects, weather and domestic livestock; goats raid more
frequently than any other animal and their pruning of maize was proven to significantly
reduce yield.
Despite the low risk of actual loss, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and
participant observation revealed that crop raiding by wild species is believed to be the
most significant limitation to livelihoods in this area. Damage intensity, fluctuations in
social condition and restrictions on traditional crop protection methods all inflate
perceptions of risk. Crop damage by wildlife also symbolizes control by external
forces; the forest is believed to be 'owned' by the same organizations that impose
conservation legislation and restrict access to resources. Raiding species, and primates
in particular, are judged alongside human moral values and local people are more
tolerant of animals they believe they can control or that have associated benefits i.e.
domestic and game species.
This thesis emphasises the need to both reduce damage to acceptable levels and
increase tolerance toward wild species at this site. Mitigation strategies are suggested
that build upon traditional techniques, provide an economic incentive for conserving
wildlife and assist farmers to manage the conflict. Ultimately, however, the success of
any initiative will depend on the participation of local people