Community Perceptions of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism: A Case Study of Communities Adjacent to Four Protected Areas in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine community perceptions of wildlife conservation and tourism, and (2) to establish socio-demographic factors that influence community perceptions of wildlife conservation and tourism. Using closed-ended questionnaires, we collected data from July 2013 to February 2014 in four protected areas (PAs) and adjacent communities in Zimbabwe, i.e., Umfurudzi Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Matusadona National Park and Cawston Ranch. A total of 938 responded to the survey. The community in Gonarezhou had neutral perceptions of wildlife conservation, while those in Umfurudzi, Matusadona, and Cawston Ranch had positive perceptions of wildlife conservation. All four communities had negative perceptions of tourism. There were variable correlations between socio-demographic factors and community perceptions of wildlife conserve ation and tourism among the different study communities. We concluded that the PAs in question have not fully involved the communities in PA management and that benefits from natural resources are not fairly shared among stakeholders, as explained by the different perceptions communities had on wildlife conservation and tourism. We recommend that conservation agencies should: (i) nurture positive perceptions and address the possible determinants of negative perceptions by the communities, (ii) enhance community involvement and benefits from tourism, and (iii) consider community heterogeneity in conservation planning.