Abstract:
Human-Wildlife Conflicts (HWC) are common challenges in communal areas adjacent to protected areas. The
objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the key depredated domestic animals over five years, (ii) determine
the key wildlife species causing HWC, trends in conflicts and the nature of HWC and (iii) establish management
measures employed to minimise HWCs. Secondary data was collected from seven (7) protected areas and three
(3) rural district council areas’ annual reports. The data were obtained from field reports between January 2017 and
December 2021. Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) 512 (47%) and cattle (Bos taurus) 409 (38%) were the main domestic
animals depredated by wildlife. The study showed that out of the five (5) species involved in the conflicts, the top
two (2) species reported were lions (Panthera leo) and hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). To mitigate HWC in the study area,
a multi-action approach has been proposed.
