Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about wildlife governance in the Hwange Tsholotsho wildlife area in Zimbabwe: A multi-methods approach

Local communities' knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions (KAP) are at the center of wildlife governance, particularly the discourse on conservation of megafauna such as the African savannah elephant. Yet, there is limited scholarship on (KAP) related to different levels of wildlife governance and the consequences, especially in the global South. Local KAP are likely diverse and multifaceted and often contradict higher-level perspectives. To contribute to the understanding of KAP of the local communities about wildlife governance, this study applied a multi-method approach utilizing the Q methodology and focus group discussions (FDG) in the Hwange Tsholotsho Wildlife Area of Zimbabwe. Fifty-nine (59) purposively selected participants sorted forty-nine (49) statements collected from related literature. Data from the Q-method was analyzed for factors and compared with emerging themes from the FGD. Four distinct clusters emerged i.e. the progressive and collaborative perspective; the pro-multilateralism perspective; the disenfranchised and radical reforms perspective; and the, balanced perspective. The clusters indicate that while respondents agree on the need for multilevel wildlife governance systems, there is a general concern about the restrictive and opaque nature of decisions outside their scope with little recognition of their views. While there is scope for collaborative approaches and best practices, local interests should guide decisions on concepts, conservation, and participation. This work adds to the dearth of scholarship on wildlife governance, particularly in Africa, through the use of mixed methods which exhibited potential for application in studies that address complex environmental management challenges.