Documentation of Traditional Knowledge Associated with Medicinal Animals in West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Ethnozoology and Zootherapeutic research is very limited and little attention has been given in Ethiopia. The study was designed to investigate and document traditional knowledge associated with medicinal animals in West Gojjam Zone of Javitenan, North Achefer, and Bahir Dar Zuria districts. Ethnozoological data were collected using structured questionnaires and use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), preferential ranking, and paired comparison were analyzed. A total of 26 animal species were identified and recorded as a source of medicine to treat 33 types of ailments. Animal-derived medicines of Bos indicus, Trigona spp., and Apis mellifera were frequently reported species to treat various ailments. Bos indicus, Trigona spp., Apis mellifera, Hyaenidae carnivora, and Labeobarbus spp. were the most frequent use-value reports (84%, 52%, 43%, 37% 36%) respectively. Informants reported 25 animal parts to treat ailments. Honey and meat took the highest frequency use report followed by purified butter, Milk, Liver, fatty meat, and Cheese stored more than 7 years were described with an average ICF value of 69%. A maximum degree of consensus was developed for the remedy of the evil eye (88%) followed by dry cough, swelling, and hepatitis 82% each. Use of animal-derived medicine from Liotrigona spp. used to relive dry-cough tend to have the highest FL (80%); followed by Labeobarbus spp. for swelling (33%) and Trigona spp. for dry-cough (30%). Paired comparisons revealed that purified butter > 2 years, Cheese > 7 years, honey of Liotrigona spp. (YetinignTazma), and honey of Trigona spp. (Tazma) was the most popular and efficacious animal-derived medicines to cure malaria and ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively. Results of this study recorded the most popular animal-derived medicine to cure various ailments. Thus, the government must strengthen traditional healers with training, club formation, material and financial support, and improve means of protecting their intellectual property rights. Moreover, chemists and pharmacists should undergo a detailed study to identify which chemical constituent of animal and animal products is responsible for the respective treatment of ailments in the study area.