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Negative human–crocodile interactions in Kariba, Zimbabwe: data to support potential mitigation strategies. ORYX 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s003060532200014x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Interactions between people and wild animals often result in negative impacts, and different views on the management of such interactions can lead to conflicts. Both intentional and unintentional negative human–wildlife interactions are increasing problems in many places where people share space with wild animals. Here we focus on negative interactions between people and Nile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus in and around Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. In the study area, crocodile attacks on people occur frequently, leading to people being injured or killed, which in turn prompts retaliatory actions against crocodiles. However, despite the negative impact of such interactions on both people and crocodiles, little is known about the spatio-temporal patterns of crocodile attacks or environmental conditions under which attacks occur. We collected information about crocodile attacks on people that occurred during 2000–2020, including the date, time, season and location of attacks, the age of victims and the activities they were carrying out when attacks occurred, and water conditions during attacks. We analysed these data to discern patterns and trends of crocodile attacks on people. Attacks occurred in clear as well as turbid water, and nearly half of all reported attacks were at night or in the early morning. The locations with the highest number of recorded attacks were Nyanyana and Charara lakeside, and the fewest attacks occurred at Andora harbour. Most victims were 26–40 years old, and most were attacked in the dry-hot season, while they were fishing. Our findings can be used to design area-specific mitigation strategies to reduce negative human–crocodile interactions.
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Pooley S. The challenge of compassion in predator conservation. Front Psychol 2022; 13:977703. [PMID: 36092072 PMCID: PMC9454015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper argues that compassion for wild animals and the humans living alongside them should be integral to wildlife conservation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in predator conservation, and case studies are used to explore the consequences of wild animal attacks for human victims. Some arguments for extending compassionate consideration to animals seen as individuals are considered, along with the challenges these pose for predator conservation. A way forward from this apparent impasse is suggested, drawing on the capacity approach to embrace human with animal actors. The paper concludes with implications for predator conservation and recommendations, including incident responses sensitive to the traumatic impacts of attacks, and more collaborative approaches to handling human-wildlife interactions taking account of the capacities of local humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pooley
- Department of Geography, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
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Matema S, Eilers CHAM, van der Zijpp AJ, Giller KE. Wetlands in drylands: Use and conflict dynamics at the human–wildlife interface in Mbire District, Zimbabwe. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Matema
- Animal Production Systems Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
- Plant Production Systems Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
- Applied Ecology Unit, African Conservation Trust South Africa
- Human Environment Applied Research Trust Chipinge Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Ken E. Giller
- Plant Production Systems Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
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Hekkala ER, Colten R, Cunningham SW, Smith O, Ikram S. Using Mitogenomes to Explore the Social and Ecological Contexts of Crocodile Mummification in Ancient Egypt. BULLETIN OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2022. [DOI: 10.3374/014.063.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evon R. Hekkala
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458 USA —
| | - Roger Colten
- Division of Anthropology, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520–8118 USA
| | - Seth W. Cunningham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458 USA
| | - Oliver Smith
- Micropathology, Ltd., University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Salima Ikram
- Department of Sociology, Egyptology, and Anthropology, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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Chakanyuka T, Utete B. Adaptive co‐management, co‐existence or just wildlife conservation? Case study of the human and Nile crocodile (
Crocodylus niloticus
) conflicts in Ngezi Dam, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tafadzwa Chakanyuka
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Mashonaland West Zimbabwe
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Chinhoyi University of Technology Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
| | - Beaven Utete
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Chinhoyi University of Technology Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
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Utete B. A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Integrating local perspectives into conservation could facilitate human–crocodile coexistence in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar. ORYX 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s003060532000037x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractConservation will always fail when it does not address the drivers of biodiversity loss, which in many cases involves understanding human behaviours and the attitudes that underlie them. The saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus is a keystone species in mangrove wetlands but also a dangerous predator that affects people's safety and livelihoods. Although saltwater crocodiles are protected under the Myanmar Biodiversity and Protected Area Law, the government has not integrated local people's attitudes into conservation and management. As a consequence, saltwater crocodiles, although categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, are restricted to a single protected area, Meinmahlakyun Wildlife Sanctuary, in Myanmar. To examine local attitudes towards the species, we investigated local knowledge about the environment, crocodiles, habitats and threats, awareness of human–crocodile conflict, and perceptions of the benefits and impacts of saltwater crocodile conservation through questionnaires in 244 households in 17 villages. We found that people were highly knowledgeable about the local environment, saltwater crocodiles, and their habitats. People with seasonal livelihoods that rely on natural resources from Meinmahlakyun had negative attitudes towards crocodile conservation. People were likely to have negative attitudes if they perceived there were no benefits from conserving the species. Law enforcement through restricting resource access does not enhance conservation success and builds resentment towards the conservation of the species. Local people suggested that, as a basis for management, understanding risks posed by crocodiles was the best approach to facilitate human–crocodile coexistence in the Ayeyarwady delta region.
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