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

Abstract

Increased human–wildlife conflicts in shared and partially closed conservation areas encompassing terrestrial and aquatic systems such as Ngezi Dam in Zimbabwe may arise from competing uses. This case study aimed to (i) estimate the abundance and distribution of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), (ii) identify potential human–crocodile conflict hotspots, (iii) assess the perceptions and attitudes of Ngezi Dam side communities towards crocodiles and their effects on rural livelihoods and (iv) examine the application of co-existence and adaptive co-management concepts in human–crocodile conflict resolution. A mixed-methods research approach integrating field surveys, focus group discussions and face-to- face interviews was used to collect data on crocodiles and human communities. A total of 54 and 57 Nile crocodiles were observed in 2017 and 2018, respectively, with no significant spatiotemporal differences (p > 0.05) in crocodile abundances. Crocodile hotspots (Getis-Ord >1.96) detected round the dam indicated potential human–crocodile- livestock conflicts. Most respondents (76%) showed a negative attitude towards crocodiles, which they indicated destroy livelihoods through injury, death and livestock depredation. The lopsided losses, for example human injuries and fatalities, loss of fishing equipment and livestock in human–crocodile conflicts drawn from this case study reflected a need to delicately recalibrate the contextualised optimisation and balanced implementation of conservation, co-management and human needs in shared landscapes. Astute crocodile conservation whilst offsetting human needs requires an inductive rather than deductive perspective lens. We propose a human–crocodile conflict contextual resolution framework (HCCCR), which prioritises interactive adaptive co-management in a specific context in shared conservation landscapes.