School of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Wildlife persists in the Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy, Zimbabwe, but requires an emergency conservation plan

2026-06-16T10:50:37Z

Wildlife persists in the Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy, Zimbabwe, but requires an emergency conservation plan Mukomberanwa, Nobert Tafadzwa; Chibura, Briliant Makuwe; Madamombe, Honest Komborero; Keche, Last; Muchenjekwa, Trevor; Tsuro, Diarson Ishmael; Murwadzi, Takudzwa Praisegod; Moyo, Blessings; Kadzere, Munyaradzi; Muredzi, Kelvin Charles; Gwara, Tadiwanashe Blessed; Diwa, Amon; Mutasa, Melody; Mukume, Triumph Mugove; Mudzimiri, Nichol; Muzari, Mutsawashe Tadiwanashe; Mudzanirwa, Osley; Mandonye, Wesley Tanatswa; Alison, Akasha Alice; Maradza, Innocent; Boys, Ellen; Madanhe, Nyasha Chelsea; Chinyanga, Brian; Nyamahumba, Tafadzwa; Mharakurwa, Brendon; Mugaviri, Mitchell Chido; Nyamadzawo, Active Farai Moses; Mukinya, Tinotenda Nyasha; Chigumira, Dexter Farai; Chikowero, Sarah Mudiwa; Chipfu, Trevor Tinashe; Mbarami, Mercy Joyline; Gwenzi, Michael; Guchu, Florence; Manyika, Kudakwashe; Zimunya, Mitchell Tendesai; Manyika, Munashe; Sopuka, Thembeka; Bangwayo, Andrew Takunda; Taruvinga, Charlotte Tadiwa; Mboto, Zvikomborero Samuel; Muchepa, Tsitsi Tamia; Muradzi, Makanaka; Gatsi, Isheanopa Pasco; Mapuranga, Courtney; Chirova, Munyaradzi; Bisenti, Olinda Samantha; Takaindisa, Archiford; Muradzikwa, Wellington; Dzambo, Fidelis Duncan; Parirewa, Maxwell; Taru, Taurai Allan; Thabeti, Jeremiah; Mandiyanike, Delight Panashe; Chirambasadza, Takudzwa The persistence of wildlife in the Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy (MBRC), Zimbabwe, highlights both species resilience and landscape value, yet escalating anthropogenic pressures demand urgent conservation action. This study aimed to: (i) model land use/ land cover (LULC) changes from 1985–2055 using multi-decadal Landsat imagery; (ii) assess the frequency, distribution and impact of fires between 2010–2025; (iii) evaluate vegetation disturbance from mining through a Bayesian framework; and (iv) determine the status and abundance of key wildlife via systematic transect surveys. Future scenarios were predicted using cellular automata–artificial neural networks (CA-ANN). Fire regimes were analysed using Landsat, FIRMS and dNBR indices, while Bayesian regression models quantified mining impacts. Species distribution was modelled with MaxEnt. Results show shrinking suitable habitats, with many species increasingly confined to fragmented populations. Despite these challenges, the findings underscore opportunities for proactive biodiversity management through robust local and international conservation policies.

Effects of thermal regime variability on adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mortality in Afromontane river systems

2026-06-15T08:47:15Z

Effects of thermal regime variability on adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mortality in Afromontane river systems Mugaviri, B; Aliki, A; Nyamupingidza, B; Mwedzi, T; Utete, B; Bere, T Water temperature variability in river systems is a significant environmental concern. This study aimed to assess the effects of thermal regime variability on adult Oncorhynchus mykiss mortality in Afromontane river systems; using time series data spanning from 1994 to 2024. The objectives of the study were to analyze temporal and seasonal trends in water temperature (1994–2024) in Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe, evaluate how temperature variability relates to adult O. mykiss mortality, and identify critical thermal thresholds that increase mortalityThe research used both secondary and primary data. Time series approach with a 5-year moving average analyzed temperature trends, while correlation and regression assessed the relationship between water temperature and rainbow trout mortality, and threshold analysis identified critical temperature limits increasing adult O. mykiss mortality. Seasonal comparisons revealed marked differences in both water temperature and mortality of O. mykiss. Mean water temperature was significantly higher in summer (20.13 ± 0.10 °C) than in winter (13.30 ± 0.13 °C; Welch’s t-test, t = 17.91, p < 0.01; n = 93 per season). Similarly, mean mortality was substantially greater during summer (1272 ± 44) compared to winter (229 ± 27), with this difference also highly significant (Welch’s t-test, t = 13.17, p < 0.001). Correlation and regression analyses revealed a strong positive association between temperature anomalies and mortality anomalies (ρ = 0.713; R2 = 0.453) indicating that nearly half of the variability in mortality anomalies is explained by temperature. The positive regression slope (134.1 fish per 1 °C anomaly) highlights the biological sensitivity of the population to even modest warming departures from baseline conditions. A critical thermal threshold of 15.20 °C was identified where O. mykiss mortality increased disproportionately above this threshold. Although mean temperatures have not shifted significantly, intra-seasonal variability acts as a primary driver of mortality. Implementing strategies that mitigate the effect ofis imperative to support economic growth and food security. water temperature changes on rainbow trout mortality

Wildlife and Fisheries Management in Zimbabwe: A Critical Reflection

2026-06-06T02:16:54Z

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.

An analysis of threats, strategies, and opportunities for African rhinoceros conservation

2026-06-06T02:16:22Z

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.