Population Dynamics of Large Herbivores and the Framing of Wildlife Conservation in Zimbabwe

This article reviews: 1) The role of natural and human-induced controls in influencing large herbivore populations; 2) how human controls (i.e., policy instruments, incentives and provisions) influence human activities and wildlife conservation; and 3) media framing of wildlife conservation using Zimbabwe as a case study, in particular Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent areas. The review shows that droughts are important in influencing large herbivore populations in semi-arid ecosystems; political instability and economic collapse does not necessarily lead to increased illegal hunting in situations where policy instruments, such as laws, are enforced. A higher perceived effectiveness of Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources was partly associated with a decline in human-wildlife conflicts and there was a spill-over effect of frames from the political domain into wildlife conservation following Zimbabwe’s land reforms in 2000. It is concluded that natural bottom-up processes (e.g., droughts) influence large herbivore population dynamics whereas policy instruments, incentives, provisions and societal frames mainly have a top-down effect on wild large herbivore populations in savanna ecosystems. Keywords Bottom-Up Control, Illegal Hunting, Law Enforcement, Media Framing, Top-Down Contro

Abundance and Structure of African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) across Different Soil Types in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

This study investigated the abundance and structure of African baobab (Adansonia digitata) across soil group strata in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. The study was based on a stratified random sampling design composed of the following soil group substrates: (i) granophyres, (ii) malvernia, and (iii) rhyolite. Belt transects of 0.3 × 0.1 km were randomly laid across soil group. Baobab abundance and population structure were determined fromthe density and size class distribution, respectively. There were significant differences in plant height and plant density acrossGonarezhou soil groups. Study sites on granophyres derived soil group indicated viable abundance and recruitment of baobab population.Whereas the study highlighted a concern over the unbalanced size structure distribution of baobab population on malvernia derived soil group, our results indicated that baobabs are in danger of extirpation on malvernia derived soil group. Baobab community in Gonarezhou tends to occur more densely along environmental gradient of soil group type as influenced by the underlying geological soil substrate of granophyres. Malvernia derived soil group is likely less ideal for baobab recruitment

An assessment of alien plant species in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

This study investigated the occurrence of alien plant species in Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe. We focused on two main habitat types, namely riparian areas of the major rivers and dry land areas. Sampling was carried out from 42 sampling plots in both habitat types. Variables studied included the numbers of alien plant species per plot, density, frequency and diversity. A total of 15 alien plant species were identified in GNP. Our results indicate a high density of forbs and shrubs in riparian areas as compared to dry land areas. Similarly, riparian areas had higher species diversity than dry land areas. Our study represents the first step to monitor alien plants which includes the identification of alien plant species and basic information on their distribution in GNP. This is important for enabling effective monitoring of both new introductions and the distribution of species already present

Local knowledge and perceptions of vulture conservation in communities living adjacent to the northern Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.

Vulture populations are declining globally largely due to deliberate and unintentional persecution and poisoning of animal carcasses which the birds consume. The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess local people’s knowledge and perceptions of vultures and their ecological importance and (ii) determine the socio-cultural uses of vulture body parts in communities adjacent to the northern Gonarezhou National Park, south-eastern Zimbabwe. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered through interviews with randomly selected household representatives (n = 81) in August 2016. Our results showed that the majority of study respondents, 72.9% (n = 59) reported the need to conserve vultures for their socio-ecological importance to the local communities. Respondents acknowledged the importance of vultures as agents of cleaning the environment, hence maintaining ecosystem health. However, a concern for vulture population decline due to poisoning was reported by most respondents of 71.6 % (n = 58). Vulture’s organs were reported to be used mostly to enhance dreaming or having visions about the future followed by healing and lastly magic use. We recommend enhanced conservation awareness and education on vultures’ conservation and restrictions on access to and use of hazardous chemicals which may likely be used in poisoning wildlife

The Influence of Coordinated Wildlife-based Tourism Marketing Mix Strategies on the Overall Tourism Performance of Zimbabwe

This study analysed the influence of coordinated wildlife-based tourism marketing mix strategies towards improving the tourism performance of Zimbabwe. The study used a positivism-based research design with a cross-sectional survey and a quota sample size of 411 (137 stakeholders and 274 tourists). The results indicated that the top five (5) high-performance areas of coordinated wildlife-based tourism marketing mix strategies were product mix, place mix, physical evidence mix, people mix and price mix in order of strength. The results also showed that the coordinated wildlife-based tourism marketing mix strategies had a positive impact on various tourism variables. The study concluded that: (i) the coordinated wildlife-based tourism marketing mix strategies performed higher than the average level, and (ii) there was a strong relationship between tourists and stakeholders on their perceptions of the coordinated wildlife-based tourism marketing mix strategies of Zimbabwe. Wildlife industry organisations need to consider ensuring that the ranked marketing mix strategies are linked, networked, and coordinated with other players in the broad tourism in ways that attract, retain, and satisfy local and domestic tourists

Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability on Wildlife Resources in Southern Africa: Experience from Selected Protected Areas in Zimbabwe

Climate change and variability pose a threat to wildlife resources in semi-arid savannahs. With examples from selected protected areas in Southern Africa, this chapter highlights studies on detected climate changes particularly rainfall and temperature, outlines the predicted and observed impacts of climate change and variability on wildlife resources in savannah ecosystems and highlights the adaptation and mitigation strategies and implications for conservation. Literature indicates that Southern Africa is characterised by highly variable, erratic and unpredictable rainfall and increasing temperature coupled with an increasing trend in climate-related extreme events such as frequent droughts, cyclones and heat waves. Drought, in particular, has led to death in several wildlife species. This has implications on long-term survival of the species. Changes in rainfall and temperature patterns influence habitat quality and consequently abundance of distribution of wildlife species. Large herbivores such as elephants and hippopotamus in particular are vulnerable to climate change due to their ecology, whereas other species are less vulnerable. Climate-related extreme events, coupled with other anthropogenic stressors, interact to influence changes in abundance and distribution of wildlife resources. Understanding the influence of these climatic factors on wildlife resources is vital for adaptive management and protection of biodiversity

Rule-breaking in terrestrial protected areas of sub-Saharan Africa : a review of drivers, deterrent measures and implications for conservation

Nature conservation relies largely on peoples' rule adherence. Nevertheless, non-compliance with regulations threatens in situ conservation in nearly every protected area (PA) and remains an intractable issue. We reviewed the available published scholarly literature on non-compliant biological resource-use in terrestrial protected areas (TPAs) of sub-Saharan Africa. The focus is on two objectives, firstly, to disentangle the complex drivers behind the various types of deviant behaviour observed in these PAs, and secondly, to assess the strategies deployed on the ground to deter such illegalities. Using 72 selected journal articles published between 2001 and 2021, we recorded nine types of deviant behaviour or illegal resource extraction that were reported. Poaching activity overshadowed all other criminal behaviours. Drivers varied according to the type of crime perpetrated or resources targeted. Poverty was the most cited driver of non-compliance, particularly for illegal bushmeat hunting. PA resentment prompted by destructive errant wildlife was almost as strong a motivation as material poverty. To deter offenders from committing a crime, a combination of interventions, i.e., law enforcement and a spectrum of non-enforcement approaches, such as Reformed Poachers Associations, long-term research sites and resource-access agreements, were deployed. Our synthesis demonstrates that the growing sub-Saharan African literature on non-compliant biological resource-use in TPAs is dominated by bushmeat poaching drivers. Other motives for PA offences by border villagers are scarcely dealt with in the peer-reviewed literature. Future studies of wildlife crime need to address PA transgression multidimensionality, not just bushmeat poaching, to reveal further drivers of transgressive behaviour and ultimately allow for evidence-informed conservation intervention design.German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and University of Pretoria.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/geccoZoology and Entomolog

An Analysis of the Status of Ecotourism and Related Developments in the Zimbabwe’s Component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

This study analysed the status of ecotourism and related developments in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) with some specific examples drawn from Zimbabwe. The objectives of the study were to: (i) explore the evolution of wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprise development by local communities, and (ii) determine factors influencing local community-owned wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprises in the GLTFCA. The study was based on two data collection methods, i.e., documentary review of academic literature and reports, and key informant interviews with 30 selected stakeholders from Chipinge and Chiredzi districts conducted between January and June 2018. The findings showed that there is some progress related to initiatives to help improve community-based wildlife conservation and cross border ecotourism. However, some challenges attributed to lack of market linkages and networks, macro-economic challenges faced by Zimbabwe which escalated since the year 2000 and limited institutional capacity of community-based institutions are negatively affecting the achievement of the desired targets. It is recommended that participatory planning and enhanced involvement of the local communities in wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprises be prioritized

Local perceptions on poverty and conservation in a community-based natural resource program area: a case study of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe

This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe, with the following objectives: (i) to assess local perceptions on poverty in a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) environment, (ii) to assess whether CAMPFIRE initiatives have enhanced livelihoods, and (iii) to analyze the involvement of local people in CAMPFIRE programs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data between September and October 2022, with 80 randomly selected participants being interviewed (structured interviews), 110 randomly selected discussants participating in focus group discussions held in all the five villages of Ward 1, and 10 purposively sampled key informants responded to semi-structured interviews. Data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that some villages had more benefits than others from the conservation programs and the contributions to poverty alleviation varied within the surveyed local communities. Most respondents in Ward 1 stated that they rely on subsistence farming as the major source of livelihood. Furthermore, most respondents highlighted that they were not participating in the natural resource management and allocation decision-making processes. However, based on this study, we conclude that respondents still view CAMPFIRE as one of the key solutions to poverty alleviation and that active local community participation in decision-making processes is lacking. The study recommend for active and full participation of local people in the decision-making processes, including previously marginalized groups, in the CAMPFIRE initiatives

Wildlife-vehicle collisions in hurungwe safari area, northern zimbabwe

This study is the first to assess wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) in Zimbabwe. The study analysed the impact and factors that influence vehicle collisions with large wild mammals along the Harare-Chirundu road section in the protected Hurungwe Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe. Data were retrieved from the Hurungwe Safari Area records and covered the period between 2006 and 2013. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the recorded variables across the sampled area and to show trends of the prevalence of large wild mammals roadkill over time. Using STATISTICA version 10 for Windows, a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between the number of wild mammal animal roadkills and seasons. A total of 47 large wild mammal animals were killed between 2006 and 2013. The large wild mammal animals that died as a result of vehicle collisions constituted a total of 11 species, with the African buffalo and spotted hyena being the most hit and killed animal species. Most WVC involved heavy haulage trucks and passenger buses. There was no significance difference (P = 0.936) between number of large wild mammal animals killed from WVC between dry and wet seasons. The large wild mammal animals were mostly killed in areas near water sources. We recommend for the inclusion of wildlife protection safeguards in road infrastructure network design and development, particularly on roads that traverse across protected areas in Zimbabwe and beyond. © 2020 The Author(s