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An assessment of wildlife crime in southern Zimbabwe: a case study of Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent communities. Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa & Edson Gandiwa. Objective : To assess the prevalence, drivers and impact of illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes.
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An assessment of wildlife crime in southern Zimbabwe: a case study of Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent communities Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa & Edson Gandiwa
Objective:To assess the prevalence, drivers and impact of illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes Study area:Southern Zimbabwe, part of the GLTFCA-Gonarezhou NP-Mahenye (MCA)-Chilothlela (CCA)Methods:1. Questionnaire survey (n = 123)2. Key informant interviews (n = 15)3. Secondary data Data collection:January-March 2013 MCA Study sites MCA & CCA CCA
Local communities and wildlife crime • About 69% (n = 95) of respondents reported prevalence of illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes in the study area • Drivers for local people involvement in illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes: • High poverty levels leading to priority of individual gains compared to community gains • Low benefits from CAMPFIRE program • Encroachments (settlement/livestock grazing) into wildlife areas • Inadequate law enforcement, weak legal/policy framework • Availability of markets for animal products
Local communities and wildlife crime, cont… • Local people get involved in wildlife crimes through: • Participating in illegal hunting • Harboring illegal hunters • Information sharing • Illegal hunting and wildlife crimes results in: • Increased animal mortalities • Reduced trophy quality for safari hunting • Compromised ecotourism experience • Disrupted animal movements/distribution • Less financial benefits to CBNRM • Tension between protected area staff and communities
Impact of illegal hunting in northern Gonarezhou NP Source: Gandiwa et al 2013
Conclusion/Recommendations • Illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes are prevalent in the GLTFCA • Develop innovative ways to enhance community livelihoods inside/near conservation areas • Diversification of the CAMPFIRE program so as to increase conservation benefits and incentives to local people • Enhance conservation awareness and education programmes • Strengthen transboundary collaboration in transfrontier conservation areas to reduce illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes • Enhance local communities involvement in natural resources management Thank YOU