Factors influencing community participation in wildlife conservation

ABSTRACT

Botswana is one of the few countries considered to be a haven for globally threatened wildlife species such as the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and vulnerable ones such as the African elephant (Loxondota Africana). In the recent past, human-wildlife conflicts have increased. This article investigated factors that influence community participation in wildlife conservation. Data were collected using key informant interviews (n = 18) and household surveys with farmers (n = 221). Results indicates that all respondents have had encounters with wildlife through crop-raiding, livestock predation or both. Despite coexistence with wildlife for time immemorial, local communities had negative perceptions and attitudes toward wildlife. These were linked to the spread of the foot and mouth disease (74%), a reduction in the value of livestock (62%), and problems with payment of compensation for damages to crops (58%). Based on these results, implications for policy and practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Wildlife conservation
• human-wildlife conflict
• crop-raiding
• community
• perceptions
• livestock predation