Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana

This study adopted a mixed methods explanatory sequential research design to investigate predictors of the increased probability of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) resulting in human injuries and fatalities. The first phase of the study involved analyzing secondary quantitative data collected over 10...

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Main Authors: Israel R. Blackie, Ikanyeng Gaodirelwe, Charity Masole
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2429795
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author Israel R. Blackie
Ikanyeng Gaodirelwe
Charity Masole
author_facet Israel R. Blackie
Ikanyeng Gaodirelwe
Charity Masole
author_sort Israel R. Blackie
collection DOAJ
description This study adopted a mixed methods explanatory sequential research design to investigate predictors of the increased probability of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) resulting in human injuries and fatalities. The first phase of the study involved analyzing secondary quantitative data collected over 10 years (2009-2019) from six wildlife districts (i.e. Ngamiland, Chobe, Kgalagadi, Central, South Central, and Gantsi) in Botswana. A logistic regression model was applied to assess the key variables of the study, including demographic, ecological/environmental, and geographic predictors of increased probability of fatality. Overall, the findings reveal that older victims, the winter season, Ngamiland Wildlife district, elephants (Loxodonta Africana), and distant health facilities present an increased probability of human fatality from animal attacks. In addition, rurality itself is a risk factor for the occurrence and severity of injuries. The second phase involved analyzing qualitative data which was used to explain the quantitative data. The results reveal that there is a need for increased public education and a holistic approach to wildlife conservation and management to reduce human casualties. The development of a human-wildlife conflict policy will ensure the comprehensive management of HWC issues in Botswana.
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spelling doaj-art-1c3e392da9ff44daaaa64fec05998f0d2025-08-20T03:47:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862024-12-0110110.1080/23311886.2024.2429795Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in BotswanaIsrael R. Blackie0Ikanyeng Gaodirelwe1Charity Masole2Department of Sociology, University of Botswana, IsraelBotswana Institute for Development Policy AnalysisBotswana Institute for Development Policy AnalysisThis study adopted a mixed methods explanatory sequential research design to investigate predictors of the increased probability of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) resulting in human injuries and fatalities. The first phase of the study involved analyzing secondary quantitative data collected over 10 years (2009-2019) from six wildlife districts (i.e. Ngamiland, Chobe, Kgalagadi, Central, South Central, and Gantsi) in Botswana. A logistic regression model was applied to assess the key variables of the study, including demographic, ecological/environmental, and geographic predictors of increased probability of fatality. Overall, the findings reveal that older victims, the winter season, Ngamiland Wildlife district, elephants (Loxodonta Africana), and distant health facilities present an increased probability of human fatality from animal attacks. In addition, rurality itself is a risk factor for the occurrence and severity of injuries. The second phase involved analyzing qualitative data which was used to explain the quantitative data. The results reveal that there is a need for increased public education and a holistic approach to wildlife conservation and management to reduce human casualties. The development of a human-wildlife conflict policy will ensure the comprehensive management of HWC issues in Botswana.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2429795Botswanaelephantsfatalitiesinjurieshuman-wildlife conflictpredictors
spellingShingle Israel R. Blackie
Ikanyeng Gaodirelwe
Charity Masole
Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
Cogent Social Sciences
Botswana
elephants
fatalities
injuries
human-wildlife conflict
predictors
title Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
title_full Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
title_fullStr Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
title_full_unstemmed Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
title_short Wildlife killer instincts: human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in Botswana
title_sort wildlife killer instincts human wildlife conflict and fatal incidents in botswana
topic Botswana
elephants
fatalities
injuries
human-wildlife conflict
predictors
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2429795
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AT charitymasole wildlifekillerinstinctshumanwildlifeconflictandfatalincidentsinbotswana