Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict in Zambia’s Eastern Region: An Urgent Crisis Needing Immediate Solutions

The Eastern Region of Zambia, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and abundant wildlife, is grappling with an escalating crisis—human-wildlife conflict. 

Communities around South Luangwa National Park and Mfuwe are reporting increasing cases of property destruction, injuries, and even fatalities due to encounters with wildlife. The period 2023-2024 has seen a dramatic rise in these incidents, largely driven by the overlapping pressures of climate change, dwindling natural resources, and a growing human population. If these issues are not addressed swiftly, both human and wildlife populations are likely to suffer even more devastating consequences.

Human-wildlife conflict refers to the detrimental interactions between people and wildlife, where human activities and wildlife behaviour intersect, resulting in negative outcomes for both sides. In rural regions like Eastern Zambia, where agriculture is the backbone of livelihoods, this conflict can be especially damaging. The conflict manifests most dramatically in agricultural areas, where elephants, hippos, and other wildlife venture into fields in search of food and water. The result is often catastrophic for local farmers, whose crops and livelihoods are destroyed. On the flip side, wildlife also faces increased threats from human encroachment, habitat loss, and retaliatory killings.

Communities around the Luangwa River Basin are increasingly feeling the strain of these encounters. Wildlife relies on the river and surrounding lands as much as the humans who live there. Unfortunately, the scarcity of resources and competition for land use has escalated the level of conflict, leaving both people and wildlife in a vulnerable position.

One of the most direct impacts of human-wildlife conflict in the Eastern Region is crop destruction, a critical issue that affects local food security. In 2023-2024, over 200 hectares of crops were destroyed by wildlife, with elephants and hippos being the primary culprits. Farmers in the region depend on staple crops like maize and cassava—key ingredients in Zambia’s traditional meals like nshima—and the loss of these crops is a major blow to the survival of rural families.

Elephants, with their enormous appetites, consume vast amounts of vegetation, trampling through fields and destroying months of hard work in a matter of hours. Their forays into farmlands are largely driven by the lack of sustenance in the wild, a crisis exacerbated by drought. Meanwhile, hippos, which are typically found near water sources, raid fields at night, leaving behind destruction in their wake. Their nocturnal habits make them particularly difficult to deter, leaving farmers in a perpetual state of anxiety. Their presence near the Luangwa River makes it nearly impossible to farm safely near the water’s edge.

The current drought has intensified the human-wildlife conflict in Zambia; droughts are expected to become longer and more severe due to climate change. The 2023-2024 farming season saw little to no rainfall, forcing farmers to rely on irrigation systems to salvage their crops. The reduction in water availability has not only stunted agricultural productivity but has also pushed wildlife closer to human settlements as animals search for water and food sources. This heightened proximity has resulted in more frequent encounters, increasing the risk of damage and confrontations.

The stakes for farmers are high. Subsistence farming is the primary means of survival in rural Zambia, and when crops are lost, food insecurity becomes a pressing issue. Families not only lose their primary food sources but also their income, deepening the cycle of poverty.

While crop destruction may result in financial and emotional hardship, the human cost is even more tragic. In the Eastern Region, 26 fatalities and 8 injuries from wildlife attacks were recorded in 2023, with crocodiles and elephants being the primary culprits.

Of the 26 deaths recorded, 15 were caused by crocodile attacks, particularly along the Luangwa River. As water levels dwindle due to droughts, crocodiles congregate in parts of the river that are also frequented by people. Fishermen, who rely on the river for their livelihoods, are especially vulnerable, as they spend significant time near the water where attacks are more likely to occur.

Elephants were responsible for 10 of the 26 fatalities, often becoming aggressive when they come into close contact with humans. While these animals are usually peaceful, their size and strength make them dangerous when provoked or when they feel threatened. The rise in confrontations is a direct consequence of shrinking habitats and increased competition for land.

Although less common than crocodile and elephant attacks, hippos were responsible for one recorded fatality. Despite their herbivorous diet, hippos are among the most aggressive animals in Africa, especially when they are encountered on land at night. Farmers staying out at night to defend their crops are therefore in great danger, due to both elephants and hippos.

The rise in injuries is also concerning, with 8 people wounded in 2023 due to wildlife encounters. While these injuries may not always be fatal, they often result in serious, life-altering consequences for the victims and their families.

At the heart of the human-wildlife conflict is resource competition, which is being exacerbated by climate change and population growth. Both humans and wildlife need land, water, and food, but with increasing human encroachment into wild areas, there is less room for wildlife to thrive.

Droughts, unpredictable weather patterns, and inconsistent rainfall have left wildlife with fewer natural resources. In response, animals venture into farmlands and villages, creating more opportunities for conflict. With no signs of climate change abating, the frequency of these encounters is likely to increase.

As populations grow, agricultural expansion and human settlements are encroaching on previously wild areas. This not only limits the space available for wildlife but also increases the likelihood of dangerous interactions between humans and animals.

The rising number of human-wildlife conflict cases in Zambia’s Eastern Region requires immediate intervention. Both short-term and long-term strategies are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and wildlife.

The construction of electric fences around villages and farmlands can help keep elephants and hippos at bay. This method has been used successfully in other regions to minimise crop damage. Crocodile-proof fences have also proven successful in other countries, which fence off parts of the river to create safe places for people to draw water and swim.

Communities should be equipped with systems that alert residents when wildlife is nearby. This can prevent surprise encounters that lead to injuries or fatalities.

Encouraging farmers to diversify their livelihoods beyond agriculture could help reduce the pressure on land use and lower the risk of conflict. Ecotourism, for example, offers a potential alternative source of income.

Better management of water resources is crucial. If animals have reliable access to water within their natural habitats, they are less likely to venture into human areas.

Raising awareness about conservation and the importance of wildlife can foster a greater understanding of how to coexist peacefully. Communities must be involved in wildlife protection initiatives to ensure long-term success.

Human-wildlife conflict in Zambia’s Eastern Region is a complex issue that requires urgent action. Crop destruction, fatalities, and injuries have caused significant hardship, but with the right mitigation strategies, peaceful coexistence is possible. By addressing the root causes of resource competition, climate adaptation, and community engagement, we can hope for a future where both humans and wildlife can thrive together.

By Sobantu Mzwakali and Dean Lubilo