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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
Citation preview
An assessment of wildlife crime in southern Zimbabwe: a case study of Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent
communities
Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa & Edson Gandiwa
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
Study sitesMCA & CCA
MCA
CCA
Objective: To assess the prevalence, drivers and impact of illegal hunting and cross-border wildlife crimes
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
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