Communities living along wildlife corridors are on the verge of a human wildlife conflict disaster as wildlife species from Hwange National Park migrate to Botswana.
Elephant and Buffalo herds numbering thousands are trekking to the neighboring country in search of food and water owed to dwindling reserves. Climate change induced dry-spells have resulted in habitat loses which have intern affected food and water supply for wildlife. Areas such as Hwange rural, Tsholotsho and Bulilima are most likely to be adversely affected as the animals head towards Botswana.
A human wildlife conflict research conducted by Habakkuk Trust in 2022 revealed that settlements located along wildlife corridors are among the key drivers of Human Wildlife Conflict in Zimbabwe.
In recent years, human settlements living along wildlife corridors have found themselves at the epicenter of a- human wildlife conflict crisis as wildlife species move in search of food and water. Seasonal migration of elephant and buffalo heads has resulted in perennial incidences of human wildlife conflict leading to the destruction of community infrastructure, injury and death to humans. Livestock and crop losses including the spread of zoonotic diseases has also been a major challenge faced by local communities.
According to Zim Parks Zimbabwe recorded a total of 15 deaths and 43 human wildlife conflict related injuries during the first quarter of 2023. The surge in human wildlife conflict cases has also been attributed to a ballooning elephant population. A recent aerial survey conducted by the Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (Kaza-TFCA) revealed that the current elephant population in Zimbabwe is estimated to be 65,028.
In 2022 Kaza-TFCA supported the reconstruction of Mabhongane dam in Bulilima District as a means of preventing wildlife from overlapping into human settlements. According to Lizwe Tshuma, from Bulilima Rural District Council Natural Resources Department, the dam will help in averting the looming crisis. “Mabhongane dam is currently full and we don’t foresee elephants and buffalos straying into human settlements in our district,” he said.
A key recommendation proffered in the Habakkuk Trust Human Wildlife Conflict Research paper is the need for District planners to coordinate with the ZimParks and other relevant stakeholders in settlement planning. It is envisaged that such collaborative efforts will protect communities and minimize human settlement in migratory paths of elephants and other wildlife species.
Photo: Donal Boyd / © IFAW
