Abstract:
Sarthrura ayresi were endangered birds and their migratory routes are between Ethiopia
and South Africa. Because of their population size, the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource(IUCN) regarded Sarothrura ayresi as
critically endangered species. The study was aimed at assessing community awareness
about ecology, conservation, and distribution and population census of WWFs in Berga
Wetland. From 230 household owners living in four kebeles were used for questionnaire
surveys selected purposively and 37 were used for focus group discussions.
Questionnaire survey, population census by investigator in intensive field survey during
breeding season and focus group discussions of the household owners were used as a
means of data collection instruments. The data obtained were analyzed by using SPSS
statistical software version-16. The respondents were aged between 31to 64 years. They
had different occupations and educational levels. The diversity of opinions expressed
during focus group discussion suggested that knowledge about the ecology, conservation
and distribution of the bird was somewhat uniform among the inhabitants of the four
Kebeles. The respondents had awareness about the availability of WWFs in the wetland.
83% of the household owners had awareness about the benefits of the birds. 70% of
respondents had information about the factors that affected the distribution of these
birds. 39.2% of the respondents believed that the population of WWFs has greatly
declined and showed their concerns. 37% of household owners reflected that the bird was
in common Africa. 49% of respondents have responded that WWFs were found in Berga
during breeding. In recapping, the populations of WWFs were declined due to various
factors and they were critically endangered birds that required serious conservation
measures by engaging all stakeholders at different levels of the community.
