Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Zimpapers Correspondent
HUMAN-WILDLIFE conflict incidents in Zimbabwe rose sharply between 2024 and 2025, driven largely by climate change-induced pressure on water and grazing resources, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has said.
In a statement, ZimParks said recorded cases of human–wildlife conflict increased from 1 654 in 2024 to 2 090 in 2025, representing a 26 percent rise.
The authority said response teams attended to more than 99 percent of all reported incidents in both years, attributing the increase not only to heightened pressure on shared landscapes, but also to improved reporting by communities.
ZimParks said climate change had altered wildlife movement and behaviour, intensifying competition for scarce resources as both human and wildlife populations grow.
This has brought animals and people into closer and more frequent contact, a trend ZimParks said mirrored wider regional and global patterns.
During 2025, ZimParks neutralised 556 problem animals as part of mitigation efforts. The year also recorded 62 human fatalities and 81 injuries linked to wildlife encounters, compared with 49 deaths and 90 injuries in 2024.
Livestock losses more than doubled, rising to 801 in 2025 from 362 the previous year.
Hotspot districts for human–wildlife conflict included Kariba, Mbire, Chiredzi, Binga, Hwange, Hurungwe and Nyaminyami. ZimParks said data analysis showed that hyenas, crocodiles and elephants remained the most frequently reported species involved in conflict incidents.
“These figures underscore the urgency of scaling preventive measures, including early warning systems such as geofencing and the establishment of community conservancies,” reads the statement.
ZimParks director-general Professor Edson Gandiwa said climate change has fundamentally reshaped ecosystem dynamics, requiring adaptive management approaches.
“Climate change has fundamentally impacted the dynamics of our ecosystems. Our responsibility is to adapt our management approaches while working closely with Government agencies, conservation partners and communities to reduce risk and build resilience.”
Despite the rising figures, the authority said community-based conservation approaches were showing positive results in high-pressure areas.
According to ZimParks, community conservancies have strengthened local participation in wildlife monitoring and rapid response while generating tangible economic benefits linked to conservation.
Ongoing interventions to reduce conflict include awareness campaigns, community livelihood projects and the deployment of community guardians who alert authorities when wildlife encroaches into human settlements.
ZimParks and its partners are also supporting communities to construct predator-proof kraals and bomas to protect livestock, as well as producing chilli bombs to deter wildlife from crop fields.
The authority also highlighted recent policy reforms aimed at supporting affected communities.
The Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act No. 4 of 2025 provides for the establishment of a Human–Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund, with implementation modalities currently being developed in consultation with stakeholders.
ZimParks said protecting human life and livelihoods remained a priority alongside the conservation of Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage.
“The authority remains firmly committed to working closely with communities, other government agencies, traditional leaders, local authorities and partners to strengthen conflict mitigation measures and enhance human–wildlife coexistence,” read the statement.
