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 sites MCA & 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 Thank YOU