Abstract:
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.
