Crop-raiding by wild vertebrates: The farmer's perspective in an agricultural community in western Uganda

The aim of this paper is to determine the extent to which wild vertebrates are perceived to damage crops, and to identify factors that help predict farmers' vulnerability to these animals. Data were collected using questionnaires and informal interviews in a farming community in western Uganda. Approximately 70% of farmers interviewed are wholly dependent on agriculture for their subsistence, either as farmers and/or as seasonal agricultural labourers. Farmers consider crop-raiding by wild animals, particularly baboons and pigs, to be a major source of crop losses. Susceptibility to crop-raiding is influenced by a number of factors including proximity of fields to forest boundary and types of crops grown. The farmers' expressed fear of baboons and pigs may truly reflect the scale of damage these animals can cause, or it may be influenced by baboons' and pigs' perceived ability to harm or even kill humans.