Effect of covid-19 pandemic on wildlife conservation in Matopo National park Zimbabwe

Author

Nyamanjerere, Rehoboth R.

Title

Effect of covid-19 pandemic on wildlife conservation in Matopo National park Zimbabwe

Abstract

The global pandemic of Covid-19 had detrimental repercussions on the conservation of wildlife, Nature Based Tourism (NBT) and local community livelihoods particularly for those adjacent to Protected Areas. Focusing in Matopo National Park Zimbabwe this project was focused on assessing the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on wildlife conservation; status of NBT and gain understanding on the main sources of livelihoods before Covid-19 and other means of sustaining their livelihoods during Covid-19. The research was divided into three phases of 2020 (zero-lockdown, total-lockdown and partial-lockdown). The findings of the research are that poaching incidences increased during the 2020-2021 period of Covid-19 pandemic as compared to the period before the pandemic (2015-2019), tourist flow declined during the pandemic and local communities embarked on several socio-economic activities during Covid-19 and the Pandemic negatively impacted the livelihoods of people living adjacent to the park.

Date

June 2023

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Covid-19

Wildlife conservation

Matopo National park

Supervisor

Mr W. Mhlanga