Assessment of the people-predator conflict through thematic PRA in the surroundings of the Waza National Park, Cameroon

Exploratory participatory rapid appraisal (PRA) was undertaken with communities and ethnic groups living close to Waza National Park (Waza NP), Cameroon in order to assess the depth of the level of conflict between livestock and wild predators. Information generated concerned local ecological knowledge and perceptions of damages caused by predators to livestock. The authors concluded that the people-predator conflict is serious in areas around Waza NP. Local ecological knowledge varied according to the placement of the settlement, with some settlements having a detailed understanding of their immediate environment. Finally, the authors propose that repetition of the same exercise and triangulation of data are important in order to overcome the biases and contradictions found in quantitative data.