Stakeholder perceptions of solutions for sustainable management of the African elephant, Loxodonta africana

Abstract

Sustainable coexistence with wildlife is essential for life on earth but is challenging particularly when dealing with large mammals. The numbers of African elephants, Loxodonta africana, in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe have exceeded the management goal of 5–10 000 to current estimates of 45 000. As a result, elephants leave the park in search of food, causing interactions with the local community such as damages to crops, traffic incidents and mutual aggression. We suggest management options that could support sustainable coexistence between people and elephants as well as other species by assessing the opinions among stakeholders in and around the Hwange National Park. The objective is to ensure the long‐term survival of elephants while balancing other interests. The thematic analysis of interviews and questionnaires highlighted 1) stakeholder insights into different management methods, 2) desire for increased CITES export quotas, 3) increased rights for local communities to derive benefits such as meat and tourist exploits. Both culling and hunting along with derived benefits should be considered to establish a sustainable elephant management strategy in Zimbabwe, and for large wildlife species in general.