PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE FAUNA AND PEOPLE’S AWARENESS TOWARDS WILDLIFE IN THE NORTHERN GOVERNORATE OF THE GAZA STRIP

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine.

2 Department of Environment and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine.

Abstract

Many plant and animal species have disappeared in the Gaza Strip during the last 5-6 decades. No effort has been made to stop such disappearance and/or to conserve the biodiversity. This survey deals with the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in the Northern Governorate of the Gaza Strip. The ecological awareness of people (n=75) towards wildlife was investigated using a questionnaire specially designed for this purpose. A total number of 119 terrestrial, wild vertebrate species (13 mammals, 86 birds and 20 reptiles), in addition to many localy extinct mammalian species were recorded. Many wildlife species are on their way to extinction where anthropogenic factors, including overpopulation and urban expansion, lack of environmental awareness and education, destruction of habitats, over-grazing, poaching and hunting, over-use of pesticides, poor enforcement of environmental laws and legislations, and various military operations imposed by the Israeli occupation and settlements, were found to threaten wildlife resources in the area.  Although population studies have not conducted in this survey, the populations of many species appear to have diminished. The hazards imposed by wildlife on both people's health and properties were also investigated. More than three-quarters of the interviewed sample 57 (76.0%)  believed in the role of the wastewater treatment facility and its effluent pond in attracting biodiversity species. The majority of respondents (86.7%) stressed the importance of implementation of environmental laws and legislation to conserve nature and wildlife. Finally, the authors recommend improving cooperation of different parties to enhace the public awareness regarding the wildlife protection.

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