Problem Animal Control (PAC) Strategies: Human/Elephant Conflicts in Dande Communal Area, Zimbabwe Presented by Tendai Nancy Nyabadza

1.0Introduction Study Background –Zambezi Valley: historical background and challenges –Mid-Zambezi Elephant Project/Zimbabwe Trust Project funded by CIDA

Challenges What are the main points of conflict between humans and elephants? New Problem Animal Control Strategies being used in combination with traditional methods Are the new PAC strategies effective for the communal farmer in the valley? What has been the overall impact of the project on the community?

Objectives Identify main points of conflict (hotspots) between elephants and the Dande community Determine impact of MZEP/ZimTrust project on the target community in controlling problem elephants.

Project Area: Guruve & Muzarabani, Zimbabwe Source: Elephant Pepper Development Trust (EPDT). (2004).

3.0 Materials and Methods Primary Data Collection Questionnaire Interviews Focus Group Discussions Secondary data collection –Libraries used; ART, CIRAD, SARDC, ZimTrust, EPDT, IUCN. Data Analysis –Use of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS)

4.0Results

Problem Animal Methods Rankings

Lessons Learned

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations PAC methods using chilli pepper ranked higher on efficiency than traditional methods but they continue to be used together Encourage the growing of a Buffer cash crop Consider compensation for crops or assets lost to elephant crop raiding Enhance other community benefits from wildlife in areas where HEC is high e.g. CAMPFIRE. This will influence levels of poaching in these areas. Identify if long term biological or physiological effects of using chilli based repellents on elephants exist

6.0 African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) work on Human Elephant Conflict Introduced in December 2006 at a training held at Conservation Lower Zambezi, in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. This training was done from the 10th to the 15th of December Representatives of rural farming communities from Rufunsa And Chiawa GMAs in Zambia and Magoe And Zumbo in Mozambique. Game scouts from Tchuma Tchatu and Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) were also trained.

AWF Zambezi Heartland HEC work

Left: A ZAWA officer, Mr. Jones Katiyo, demonstrating the mixing of chilli with elephant dung Right: Participants of the PEC training setting up a pilot site in Mugurameno village, Lower Zambezi, Zambia.

The work done has set a precedence in Problem Elephant Control (PEC). Now used in Zambia and Mozambique by AWF in its core operations landscape, Zambezi Heartland. Effective mitigation methods will be disseminated to willing farmers in areas where the pilot has proved effective. With the high level of commitment from the communal farmers, we are optimistic that the intervention will be a success!

7.0 Closing Remarks Based on this project, a paper was published in africa.com/Jsda/Spring2006PDFwww.jsd- africa.com/Jsda/Spring2006PDF My co-authors were Prof. J. F. Mupangwa (Rwanda), Dr. I. Mberengwa (Ethiopia), and Mr. I. Chaipa (Zimbabwe). African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) work Elephant Pepper Development Trust Thank You All For Listening