Exploring Human-Wildlife Conflict Around Protected Areas in Zimbabwe, a Climate Change Context
摘要
Climate change has become an issue of global concern, adding new dynamics to human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) in spaces where humans and wild animals share resources. This calls for more collaborative and multifaceted approaches to address climate change-aggravated HWCs. A qualitative research approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 key informants selected through purposive and snowball sampling procedures from residents of local communities surrounding the protected area, wildlife conservation organizations, and government agencies. Thematically analysed findings reveal that climate change has intensified competition for resources between humans and wildlife, induced livelihood crises, and accelerated the loss of biodiversity through the depletion of natural resources. Additionally, the findings unearthed a resurgence of direct retaliation against wild animals by residents of local communities, as well as increases in intra-conflicts among wild animal species as survival takes centre stage. Theoretically, this chapter broadens our understanding of complex HWCs dynamics by adjoining the constructs of HWCs, protected areas (PAs), and climate change. Practically, wildlife management authorities need to review frameworks regulating human-wildlife interactions. New climate change-proofing strategies are recommended to safeguard the livelihoods of communities.