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Human-carnivore coexistence: factors influencing stakeholder attitudes towards large carnivores and conservation in Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2020

Esther van der Meer Open the ORCID record for Esther van der Meer [Opens in a new window]  and
Hans Dullemont
Esther van der Meer*
Affiliation:
Cheetah Conservation Project Zimbabwe, PO Box 204, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Hans Dullemont
Affiliation:
Cheetah Conservation Project Zimbabwe, PO Box 204, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Esther van der Meer, Email: esthervdmeer@gmail.com
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Summary

Promoting human-carnivore coexistence is a main component of carnivore conservation. Coexistence programmes are usually informed by attitudinal studies that evaluate intended behaviour towards carnivores. This questionnaire survey assesses attitudes of governmental and non-governmental conservation stakeholders in Zimbabwe towards living with carnivores, large carnivore species and the conservation of wildlife, and determines whether being part of coexistence programmes (CAMPFIRE, TFCAs) positively affects attitudes. Stakeholder attitudes were most positive when employment was directly related to wildlife and stakeholders had knowledge about and exposure to carnivores. Stakeholders who depend on livestock and/or had little knowledge about and less exposure to carnivores were most negative, this included governmental stakeholders responsible for natural resource management. Positive attitudes were largely based on the aesthetic and economic value of carnivores, while negative attitudes were based on the fear of livestock loss and perceived danger to humans. Subsistence farmers were the most negative stakeholders, as such, the focus on this group to promote coexistence seems justified. However, although some stakeholders were more positive in CAMPFIRE areas or TFCAs, CAMPFIRE and TFCAs failed to improve attitudes of subsistence farmers, which highlights a need to evaluate and adapt these programmes.

Keywords

African wild dogattitudescarnivore conservationcheetahhuman-wildlife coexistencelarge carnivoresleopardlionspotted hyaenaZimbabwe
Type
Research Paper
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 48 , Issue 1 , March 2021 , pp. 48 - 57
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Foundation for Environmental Conservation

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