https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 05:30:06 GMT 2026-06-06T05:30:06Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/779 Wildlife and Fisheries Management in Zimbabwe: A Critical Reflection Gandiwa, Edson; Mashapa, Clayton; Muboko, Never Wildlife is a valuable resource in Zimbabwe. This Chapter focuses on the evolution of wildlife ownership regimes, access and conservation in Zimbabwe from pre-colonial to post-colonial period. Evidence was gathered from documentary review of existing literature, primarily focusing on (un)published reports, research articles and books. Google, Google Scholar and Scopus search engines were used to search relevant literature. Study findings indicated that wildlife ownership in Zimbabwe shifted from traditional common pool resource to public and private ownership driven by the need to fulfil the concept of access and benefit sharing. The evolution of the political landscape, legal and institutional framework for management of wildlife resources influenced changes in ownership regimes. Consequently, approaches to wildlife management have also diversified from the colonial fortress conservation approach to a range of management regimes including community-based wildlife management systems. However, community-based approaches to wildlife conservation have faced a myriad of challenges due to lack of devolution and other resource governance related aspects. Despite the evolution of wildlife ownership regimes, the responsibility of maintaining and conserving the wildlife resources still rests in the hands of a few. There is need to promote integrated and innovative approaches to wildlife management to ensure successful conservation and sustainable utilisation of the resource. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/779 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/778 An analysis of threats, strategies, and opportunities for African rhinoceros conservation Chanyandura, Admire; Muposhi, Victor K.; Gandiwa, Edson; Muboko, Never The complexity and magnitude of threats to black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros conservation in Africa have triggered global concerns and actions. In this study, we analyzed (i) threats to rhinoceros conservation including external shocks, (ii) historical rhinoceros conservation strategies in Zimbabwe and Africa, more broadly, and (iii) opportunities for enhanced rhinoceros conservation in Zimbabwe and Africa. A literature search from 1975 to 2020 was carried out using a predefined search protocol, involving a number of filters based on a set of keywords to balance search sensitivity with specificity. A total of 193 articles, which were most relevant to key themes on rhinoceros conservation, were used in this study. The common threats to rhinoceros conservation identified in this paper include poaching, habitat fragmentation and loss, international trade in illegal rhino products, and external shocks such as global financial recessions and pandemics. Cascading effects emanating from these threats include small and isolated populations, which are prone to genetic, demographic, and environmental uncertainties. Rhinoceros conservation strategies being implemented include education and awareness campaigns, better equipped and more antipoaching efforts, use of innovative systems and technologies, dehorning, and enhancing safety nets, and livelihoods of local communities. Opportunities for rhinoceros conservation vary across the spatial scale, and these include (a) a well-coordinated stakeholder and community involvement, (b) strategic meta-population management, (c) enhancing law enforcement initiatives through incorporating real-time surveillance technologies and intruder detection sensor networks for crime detection, (d) scaling up demand reduction awareness campaigns, and (e) developing more certified wildlife crime and forensic laboratories, and information repository for international corporation. Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/778 2020-06-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/765 Spirituality in traditional water knowledge systems as a driver and barrier to aquatic ecosystem conservation in Zimbabwe Utete, Beaven; Madzivanyika, Cuthbert Traditional water knowledge (TWK) compounds indigenous people’s profound and inherent understanding, comprehension, and interpretation of natural processes with their ecological dependence on hydrological cycles and spiritual and religious cultural connections. TWK simultaneously coexists and conflicts with Western methods of water management in African landscapes. The objectives of this systematic literature review were to 1) synthesise the role of spirituality in TWK elements comprising spatial-based landscape knowledge, water use and management, and water values i) as drivers and ii) barriers to aquatic ecosystem conservation in rural and urban landscapes and 2) identify salient gaps for its integration in strengthening aquatic biodiversity, climate adaptation, resilience, and sanitation initiatives in Zimbabwe. A Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) literature review protocol and a Theories, Concepts, Characteristics; Methodology (TCCM) framework were adopted. TWK exhibits subtle variations related to the local geospatial cultural intricate perspectives on the sacredness of water sites. Informal traditional water knowledge networks predict wildlife and water system and rainfall dynamics akin to academic projections but pose unique governance and policy interventions. Gaps exist in studies on the origin of the evolution of mythical water spirits, spiritualism, moneyism, natural medicinal healing attributes, and the lure of water ecosystems as an epistemological aspect of TWK. Geospatial mapping and documentation of the localised contextual conservation astuteness of sacred water sites is a baseline and valid TWK for local conservation policy initiatives. Complementary integration of TWK and contemporary scientific methods will enhance national water policies and water conservation strategies in Zimbabwe. Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/765 2026-05-19T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/764 A comparison of home range estimates using the time local convex hull (T‐LoCoH) and minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods for African savannah elephants in a semi‐arid protected area Mukomberanwa, Nobert T.; Taru, Phillip; Utete, Beaven; Ngorima, Patmore Knowledge of home ranges (HRs) helps conservationists understand movement patterns and can aid management including avoidance of human‐wildlife conflicts. This study examined the African savannah elephant seasonal HRs and space use using telemetry data in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. The objectives were to (i) compare the HR sizes and (ii) construct utilization distribution of African savannah elephants using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method and the time‐local convex hull (T‐LoCoH). The results revealed that the dry, transitional, and wet season HR sizes estimated by the MCP method were significantly larger than those of the T‐LoCoH method. Significant differences were observed between core T‐LoCoH home‐range distributions for the wet, transition, and dry seasons. T‐LoCoH more accurately represented the HR size and nuances of repeated movements and internal spaces than the MCP method. The findings show larger‐scale movements in the transition season, which would enhance the potential for human–elephant conflicts. Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/764 2025-09-05T00:00:00Z