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A manual for reducing and mitigating Human-Aquatic Animals Conflict
| Author: | Connected Conservation and KAZA TFCA Secretariat |
| Language: | |
| Topic: | Conservation |
| Type: | Strategy and guides |
| Last updated: | 13 April 2026 |
The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) spans five countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area, hosting the largest contiguous population of African elephants, a quarter of the African wild dog population, and 20% of the lion population. The region is home to approximately 3 million people, primarily rural communities reliant on subsistence farming.
Human-Aquatic Animal Conflict (HAAC), particularly involving crocodiles and hippopotamuses, has become a significant issue due to increasing human populations and expanding settlements near water bodies. Crocodiles are opportunistic predators, attacking humans and livestock, especially in areas with depleted fish stocks. Hippos, known for their aggressive behavior, are responsible for crop damage, destruction of fishing gear, and human fatalities, often near water bodies or grazing paths.
The manual aims to improve understanding of HAAC and equip stakeholders with best practices to mitigate conflicts. Recommended measures include constructing crocodile-proof barriers, providing alternative water sources, mapping HAAC hotspots, and relocating problem animals. For hippos, strategies include fencing lands, creating buffer zones, digging trenches, and educating communities about hippo behavior.
Training programs for farmers, wildlife managers, and stakeholders are essential to enhance technical capacity and awareness. Effective mitigation requires accurate data on conflict hotspots, robust support programs, and active participation from all stakeholders. Adequate resources, innovative approaches, and continuous implementation of interventions are critical for success.
KAZA TFCA’s mission is to sustainably manage the region’s ecosystem, heritage, and cultural resources through conservation and tourism, benefiting local communities and stakeholders. The manual provides practical solutions to foster coexistence between humans and aquatic animals, ensuring ecological balance and supporting the tourism industry. For inquiries, contact the KAZA TFCA Secretariat or partner state departments.
Training programs for farmers, wildlife managers, and stakeholders are essential to enhance technical capacity and awareness. Effective mitigation requires accurate data on conflict hotspots, robust support programs, and active participation from all stakeholders. Adequate resources, innovative approaches, and continuous implementation of interventions are critical for success.
KAZA TFCA’s mission is to sustainably manage the region’s ecosystem, heritage, and cultural resources through conservation and tourism, benefiting local communities and stakeholders. The manual provides practical solutions to foster coexistence between humans and aquatic animals, ensuring ecological balance and supporting the tourism industry. For inquiries, contact the KAZA TFCA Secretariat or partner state departments.
