Human-wildlife conflict and its impacts on livelihoods, health, and the environment in Chebera Churchura National Park, Southwest Ethiopia: a phenomenological study using a One Health approach with an urgent call for action.

backgroundChebera Churchura National Park (CCNP), located in Southwest Ethiopia, was established to conserve biodiversity. However, its contribution to the livelihood and wellbeing of the proximal communities remains limited. Local people derive few tangible benefits from conservation while facing significant costs through crop losses, livestock predation, and restricted access to natural resources factors that intensify human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Previous studies have addressed HWCs focused mainly from ecological and socio-economic aspects with limited attention to the linkage between health dimensions of human, animal and the environment and implications. This study aims to fill this gap by (i) examining the extent and effect of HWCs on livelihoods in CCNP, (ii) exploring community perceptions of wildlife and conservation, and ii) identifying participatory strategies for conflict mitigation through a One Health approach.

methodsA phenomenological qualitative design was used to capture the lived experiences of communities and institutional stakeholders across five kebeles (Ethiopia’s smallest administrative unit) including Chebera, Delba, Koyisha (near the Koysha dam area), Chevera, and Seri-shewa bordering CCNP. Data were collected through in total, 40 in-depth and key informant interviews, systematic field observations, and document reviews. Participants included community members, park staff, local administrators, and professionals from the human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors. Data quality was checked by the research team and cross-checked against recorded information and field notes in the course of analysis. Data were triangulated by participants and analyzed thematically to identify cross-cutting One Health themes.

resultsConflicts involving elephants with humans, monkeys with humans, and buffaloes with humans were identified as major threats to community livelihoods, human health, and environmental integrity. These conflicts primarily arose from competition for space, grazing, and water resources. Which often forced humans, livestock, and wildlife to share limited spaces such as water points and agricultural fields. Such competition opens up for interface between human, wildlife and domestic animals with the potential for zoonotic. Participants reported that the place being highland, malaria persistent episode with poor response to antimalarial treatment. They also described that cattle died despite being treated with veterinary drugs for unexplained febrile diseases, highlighting shared vulnerabilities at the human-animal-environment interface. Limited coordination among human, animal, and environmental health sectors hindered disease prevention and response, while poor infrastructure, insufficient veterinary services, and minimal community participation in park governance further compounded these challenges.

conclusionHuman-wildlife conflicts in CCNP threaten livelihoods, health, and ecosystem integrity, driven by competition for land, water, and grazing. Recurrent malaria outbreaks with limited efficacy of antimalarial drugs and livestock deaths illustrate shared vulnerabilities at the human-animal-environment interface. Limited coordination among health, veterinary, and environmental sectors, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and low community participation in governance, exacerbate these challenges. Implementing integrated One Health approaches, enhancing community engagement, and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration are essential to promote sustainable coexistence between people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Future research should focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic pathogens such as Toxoplasma to better address emerging health risks at the human-animal-environment interface.