The project began in January 2022 with a preparatory phase including workshops, an exploratory field excursion, research permit applications and fieldwork planning. After a year of intense fieldwork, the focus is now on data analysis and publications.
Under work package (WP) 1 “Changing Rural Livelihoods”, 14 expert interviews and 181 household level interviews examined household income generation, agricultural production and livelihood strategies in Zimbabwe. In Namibia, processes of wealth differentiation were examined based on 6 interviews and large data sets on land tenure and human-wildlife conflicts provided by governmental organisations.
Under WP 2 “Conflict, Governance, and Institutional Dynamics”, research examined the role of traditional authorities and emergent elites in conservation. In Zambia’s Simalaha conservancy, 71 interviews explored traditional governance dynamics. One article and a book chapter were submitted with another article in writing. 20 interviews examined the establishment of wildlife corridors and their governance in KAZA.
Under WP 3 “Knowledge and Practices, research focused on knowledge on trees and non-timber forest products (WP 9), zoonotic diseases (WP 6, 7), and wildlife (WP 4, 5, 6, 7).
Under WP 4 “Elephant Assemblage”, 35 interviews examined human-elephant relations and 58 interviews the role of technologies in elephant management in Botswana and Namibia. Two articles are under review.
Under WP 5 “Lion Assemblage”, archival research and 68 interviews with local actors explored human-lion relations in the Okavango delta, Bostwana. One article is under review.
Under WP 6 “Glossina/Trypanosome Assemblage”, 34 interviews were conducted in tsetse (glossina fly) control and infested areas in Zambia. Archival research (261 files) documented historical tsetse control and wildlife conservation. One article was published, with another in progress.
Under WP 7 “Foot-and-Mouth (FMD) Assemblage”, 22 interviews with FMD-affected farmers in Botswana and archival research were conducted. One co-authored article was published, with another in progress. A student in Botswana received a stipend.
Under WP 8 “Cattle Assemblage”, cattle data was collected in collaboration with the veterinary department in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, along with key informant interviews.
Under WP 9 “Rosewood Assemblage”, 58 interviews were conducted with farmers, forestry officers and government employees in Zambia. Two articles are in review.
