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Problem Animal Control (PAC) Strategies: Human/Elephant Conflicts in Dande Communal Area, Zimbabwe. Presented by Tendai Nancy Nyabadza. 1.0 Introduction. Study Background Zambezi Valley: historical background and challenges
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Problem Animal Control (PAC) Strategies: Human/Elephant Conflicts in Dande Communal Area, Zimbabwe Presented by Tendai Nancy Nyabadza
1.0 Introduction • Study Background • Zambezi Valley: historical background and challenges • Mid-Zambezi Elephant Project/Zimbabwe Trust Project funded by CIDA
Challenges • What are the main points of conflict between humans and elephants? • New Problem Animal Control Strategies being used in combination with traditional methods • Are the new PAC strategies effective for the communal farmer in the valley? • What has been the overall impact of the project on the community?
Objectives • Identify main points of conflict (“hotspots”) between elephants and the Dande community • Determine impact of MZEP/ZimTrust project on the target community in controlling problem elephants.
Project Area: Guruve & Muzarabani, Zimbabwe Source: Elephant Pepper Development Trust (EPDT). (2004).
3.0 Materials and Methods • Primary Data Collection • Questionnaire Interviews • Focus Group Discussions • Secondary data collection • Libraries used; ART, CIRAD, SARDC, ZimTrust, EPDT, IUCN. • Data Analysis • Use of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS)
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations • PAC methods using chilli pepper ranked higher on efficiency than traditional methods but they continue to be used together • Encourage the growing of a Buffer cash crop • Consider compensation for crops or assets lost to elephant crop raiding • Enhance other community benefits from wildlife in areas where HEC is high e.g. CAMPFIRE. This will influence levels of poaching in these areas. • Identify if long term biological or physiological effects of using chilli based repellents on elephants exist
6.0 African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) work on Human Elephant Conflict • Introduced in December 2006 at a training held at Conservation Lower Zambezi, in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. • This training was done from the 10th to the 15th of December 2006. • Representatives of rural farming communities from Rufunsa And Chiawa GMA’s in Zambia and Magoe And Zumbo in Mozambique. • Game scouts from Tchuma Tchatu and Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) were also trained.
Left: A ZAWA officer, Mr. Jones Katiyo, demonstrating the mixing of chilli with elephant dung Right: Participants of the PEC training setting up a pilot site in Mugurameno village, Lower Zambezi, Zambia.
The work done has set a precedence in Problem Elephant Control (PEC). • Now used in Zambia and Mozambique by AWF in its core operations landscape, Zambezi Heartland. • Effective mitigation methods will be disseminated to willing farmers in areas where the pilot has proved effective. • With the high level of commitment from the communal farmers, we are optimistic that the intervention will be a success!
7.0 Closing Remarks • Based on this project, a paper was published in 2006www.jsd-africa.com/Jsda/Spring2006PDF • My co-authors were Prof. J. F. Mupangwa (Rwanda), Dr. I. Mberengwa (Ethiopia), and Mr. I. Chaipa (Zimbabwe). • African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) workwww.awf.org • Elephant Pepper Development Trustwww.elephantpepper.org Thank You All For Listening