ABSTRACT

This study assessed the nature and local people’s perceptions of human-crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) conflicts (HCCs) for the period 2007 to 2016 in Kariba town, northern Zimbabwe. A mixed-method approach was used with 150 local fish folks interviewed between July and October 2017 through face-to-face interviews and secondary data on HCC were retrieved from the wildlife authority’s records. In contrast to the general perception from fish folks that there was an increase in HCC, secondary data analysis showed no significant trends of crocodile attacks on people for the period under study. HCC was mainly driven by fishing activities which exposed people to crocodile attacks. The study concludes that despite the recorded non-increasing trend in HCCs, HCC is a major conservation issue in Kariba town given enhanced human–wildlife interactions due to the economic needs for local livelihoods. Community educational programs are recommended as a way to manage HCC and close gaps between the conventional scientific and local knowledge.

摘要

本研究评估了人鳄（ Crocodylus niloticus）的性质和当地人的看法）2007 年至 2016 年期间津巴布韦北部卡里巴镇发生的冲突（HCC）。2017 年 7 月至 10 月期间，我们采用混合方法对 150 名当地鱼类居民进行了面对面访谈，并从野生动物管理局的记录中检索了有关 HCC 的二手数据。与鱼类居民普遍认为肝癌有所增加的看法相反，二次数据分析显示，在研究期间，鳄鱼袭击人类的趋势并不明显。HCC 主要是由使人们遭受鳄鱼袭击的捕鱼活动引起的。研究得出的结论是，尽管 HCC 没有增加的趋势，但由于当地生计的经济需求，人类与野生动物的互动增强，HCC 是卡里巴镇的一个主要保护问题。