COMMUNITY AWARENESS ABOUT ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION, CONSERVATION AND POPULATION CENSUS OF WHITE WINGED FLUFFTAIL (SAROTHRURA AYRESI, GURNEY, 1877) AT BERGA WETLAND IN ADEA BERGA DISTRICT, WEST SHOWA,ETHIOPIA

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.