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Article History

Received: 23 July 2025

Accepted: 16 February 2026

First Online: 10 March 2026

Declarations

:

: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University. Authorization to conduct the research was also obtained from the Simien Mountains National Park Office in Debark City. The study did not involve any experimental procedures on humans or animals, nor did it include the collection of animal tissue samples. It was purely survey-based, involving local communities through interviews and questionnaires. Therefore, no additional institutional approval or licensing was required. Before participation, all respondents were briefed about the purpose and scope of the study in their local language. Informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to data collection. Participation was entirely voluntary, and respondents were assured that their responses would remain confidential and would not result in any personal, social, or political consequences. Access to raw data was restricted and permitted only by mutual agreement among the principal investigators.

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: Not applicable.

: Not applicable.