Translate
Resources
A manual for reducing and mitigating Human Bird Conflict - KAZA
| 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 Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, covering diverse ecosystems and hosting Africa’s largest elephant population, along with significant populations of African wild dogs and lions. The region supports over 600 bird species, including granivorous birds like the Red-billed Quelea (RBQ), which cause significant crop damage. Human-Bird Conflict (HBC) arises when birds compete with humans for food, water, and space, particularly affecting subsistence and commercial farmers.
Human-Bird Conflict (HBC) arises when birds compete with humans for food, water, and space, particularly affecting subsistence and commercial farmers. Granivorous birds, such as quelea, sparrows, and pigeons, feed on seeds and grains, causing economic losses, crop damage, and health hazards from droppings.
The manual aims to improve understanding of HBC and equip communities and stakeholders with effective management practices. It outlines methods to mitigate HBC, including trapping techniques (e.g., trap door traps, funnel traps, birdlime), frightening tactics (e.g., noise devices, scarecrows, firecrackers), chemical repellents, biological control (e.g., natural predators like hawks and falcons), and habitat manipulation (e.g., thinning roost vegetation). These measures should be implemented promptly when farmland is under attack to prevent further damage.
Training programs for farmers and wildlife managers are essential to enhance technical capacity and awareness of wildlife management. Accurate data on HBC hotspots and robust support programs are crucial for effective mitigation. Stakeholders must ensure consistent implementation, active participation, and adequate resources to address HBC and Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC).
The KAZA TFCA Secretariat, along with conservation authorities in the partner states, is committed to sustainable management of the region’s ecosystem, heritage, and cultural resources, promoting conservation, tourism, and socio-economic development. For inquiries, contact details for the KAZA TFCA Secretariat and partner states are provided.
The manual aims to improve understanding of HBC and equip communities and stakeholders with effective management practices. It outlines methods to mitigate HBC, including trapping techniques (e.g., trap door traps, funnel traps, birdlime), frightening tactics (e.g., noise devices, scarecrows, firecrackers), chemical repellents, biological control (e.g., natural predators like hawks and falcons), and habitat manipulation (e.g., thinning roost vegetation). These measures should be implemented promptly when farmland is under attack to prevent further damage.
Training programs for farmers and wildlife managers are essential to enhance technical capacity and awareness of wildlife management. Accurate data on HBC hotspots and robust support programs are crucial for effective mitigation. Stakeholders must ensure consistent implementation, active participation, and adequate resources to address HBC and Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC).
The KAZA TFCA Secretariat, along with conservation authorities in the partner states, is committed to sustainable management of the region’s ecosystem, heritage, and cultural resources, promoting conservation, tourism, and socio-economic development. For inquiries, contact details for the KAZA TFCA Secretariat and partner states are provided.
