Understanding the human-wildlife conflict in Queen Elizabeth National Park Kasese District Western Uganda

Abstract

This research is about Understanding the Human-Wildlife Conflict in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Kasese District Western Uganda. The growing population in Kasese District has led to Human-wildlife conflicts as people encroach on Park land and compete with the wild animals for survival. Without resolving the Human-wild conflicts, there will remain adverse effects on both the communities living near the park and the park management which presents a challenge for peace. The objectives of this study were: To establish the factors that have led to Human Wildlife Conflict in QENP; Analyze the conflicts faced by the local people around the park; And to find out the strategies and mechanisms that could mitigate on the Human-Wildlife Conflicts in QENP and Surrounding areas. The study used a sample size of 90 respondents with Non-Experimental research design but emphasis was put on Case Study design to understand the underlying factors that have led to human-wildlife conflicts in QENP. Probability sampling was used to select category of unknown respondents while non-probability was used on the known respondents to collect data. The main findings in this study revealed that human –wildlife conflicts were mainly caused by Crop damage and destruction by animals while Human injuries and death follows. Other factors include; population pressure; Un clear ownership of some parts of the land gazetted for park; Failure by park authorities to control animals from crossing the park boundaries; Delayed compensations and no compensations at times for the loss of both lives and crops. The main conflicts people face are related to violations of wildlife regulations that end up with different cases reported to police and courts of law but poaching takes the lead. The study revealed that mechanisms to resolve the human-wildlife conflicts include; Trenches excavation and maintenance along the park boundary to control movement of elephants and Buffaloes; Beekeeping to scare away elephants; Caging, Capture and translocation of problem crocodiles; Scare shooting; Planting of unpalatable crops such as chili; Electric fencing; Camp fires, Vuvuzelas and torches to scare away animals at night. The overall conclusion of the study was that the most sensible approach in addressing human-wildlife conflict is to implement a combination of short-term mitigation tools alongside long-term preventive strategies. The best answer and solution to all the above would be the newly passed Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 if it’s well implemented as it introduces compensation scheme for wildlife induced damage outside PAs. Specifically, the new Act provides for a wildlife compensation scheme, a compensation fund and a claims verification committee. If this law is well disseminated and implemented it will resolve the human-wildlife conflicts.