Towards sustainable wildlife conservation: a case study of wildlife crimes in two major protected areas and adjacent communities in Zimbabwe Edson Gandiwa*, Never Muboko & Victor K. Muposhi School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe * Email: egandiwa@cut.ac.zw or egandiwa@gmail.com Table 2 RATIONALE Wildlife crimes, mainly illegal hunting and trafficking of wild animals and their products, are a major phenomenon threatening wildlife conservation in tropical savanna ecosystems. Using a case study of two major protected areas and adjacent communities in Zimbabwe, i.e., Hwange and Gonarezhou National Parks (NPs) (Fig. 1), the nature of crimes, impacts of wildlife crimes, the drivers and potential mitigation measures were explored. THE APPROACH A mixed methods approach was used. For Hwange NP and adjacent areas, two field visits were conducted in October 2013 to the main sites of elephant poisoning, personal interviews were held with ZimParks officials based at Hwange NP and Forest Commission representatives based at Ngamo Forest Field Station, and a review of aerial survey reports. To understand tourists' perceptions on conservation threats, 76 tourists in Hwange NP were interviewed using a questionnaire administered through convenience sampling in 2016. For Gonarezhou NP and adjacent areas, a total of 350 local residents from eight villages adjacent to the northern GNP were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires in 2009 and 2010/2011, and law enforcement data for northern GNP between 2000 and 2010 were retrieved from the park law enforcement database. Table 3 outlines some of the suggested measures to reduce the impacts of wildlife crimes in the study sites Suggested measures Enhanced law enforcement and collaborative protected area management Ranking Very high Strengthen education and awareness programs in areas adjacent to protected areas Very high Increased involvement of local communities in conservation (e.g., CAMPFIRE, traditional leadership) Very high Reducing human-wildlife conflicts Prosecution and penalties Collaboration in transboundary conservation Very high High High SYNTHESIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Wildlife crimes are a major issue in today’s society and Zimbabwe is no exception. Wildlife crimes, drivers and impacts appear to vary from site to site. Thus, it is essential that conservation approaches focus on both the social dimensions and robust antipoaching strategies as to effectively conserve the diverse wildlife resources in tropical savanna ecosystems. Fig.1. Location of Hwange NP (left) and Gonarezhou NP (right), and surrounding land uses, Zimbabwe RESULTS Hwange NP – In 2013, first record of wild animal poisoning using cyanide with 135 elephant mortalities within both the protected area and adjacent areas (Table 1). All elephant carcasses were discovered either at or close to poisoned saltpans. Moreover, respondents (i.e., tourists) expressed concern about wildlife crimes as these may have implications on wildlife viewing opportunities in both the protected areas and adjacent areas. Gonarezhou NP – A total of 940 illegal hunters and 1509 illegal fish poachers were arrested, 79 hunting dogs were shot and 7340 wire snares were recovered between 2000 and 2010 in northern GNP. Illegal activities, mainly illegal fishing and hunting, in the northern GNP were high between 2000 and 2003, and declined towards 2010. About 499 animals of 22 species were illegally killed between January 2001 and December 2010 and diverse methods were used in illegal hunting (Table 2). The reasons for wildlife crimes were varied and included subsistence and commercial motives, issues of poverty (associated with unemployment), disgruntlement over skewed distribution of Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) proceeds, historical land contests, retaliation for crop raiding/livestock depredation (human-wildlife conflict), traditional/cultural reasons, inadequate investment in antipoaching and high demand of wildlife products elsewhere. The issue of scale is important (local to global level) related to wildlife crimes. Hence, interventions could consider the local contextual characteristics so as to enhance harmony of local communities and conservation objectives. Furthermore, regional and international collaboration is essential as external influence appear to drive some of the commercial motives of wildlife crimes. Acknowledgements Poster based on the following references: Gandiwa, E. (2011). Preliminary assessment of illegal hunting by communities adjacent to the northern Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. Tropical Conservation Science, 4(4), 445-467. Gandiwa, E., Heitkönig, I. M. A., Lokhorst, A. M., Prins, H. H. T. & Leeuwis, C. (2013). Illegal hunting and law enforcement during a period of economic decline in Zimbabwe: A case study of northern Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent areas. Journal for Nature Conservation, 21(3), 133-142. Gandiwa, E., Zisadza-Gandiwa, P., Mango, L., & Jakarasi, J. (2014). Law enforcement staff perceptions of illegal hunting and wildlife conservation in Gonarezhou National Park, southeastern Zimbabwe. Tropical Ecology, 55(1), 119-127. Muboko, N., Muposhi, V. K., Tarakini, T., Gandiwa, E., Vengesayi, S., & Makuwe, E. (2014). Cyanide poisoning and African elephant mortality in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: a preliminary assessment. Pachyderm, 55, 92-94. Muboko, N., Gandiwa, E., Muposhi, V., K. & Tarakini, T. (2016). Illegal hunting and protected areas: Tourist perceptions on wild animal poisoning in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Tourism Management, 52, 170-172. Photo credit: Patience Gandiwa
