Assessment of causes of human wildlife conflict and the contribution to climate change: evidence from analysis of satellite images: a case of Selous Game Reserve in Kilwa District

Human-wildlife conflict has been in existence for as long as humans have existed and wild animals and people have long shared the same landscapes and resources. Human wildlife conflict is the result of habitat loss, habitat degradation, and land use change. This study aimed at finding out factors for the increasing human-wildlife conflicts in communities bordering Selous Game Reserve, and the extent to which climate change has contributed using evidence from analysis of satellite images. Both primary and secondary data were gathered using Participatory Rural Appraisal and literature review. A sample size of 10% was utilized to obtain 51 households out of 510 households in both villages. These households were randomly selected. In addition, 20 focus group members and 8 key informants were purposively chosen to triangulate the information gathered in the households. Qualitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, meanwhile quantitative data were analyzed by using frequency. Conflicts between humans and wildlife are escalating and have become a significant issue in conservation and land use management. Human population growth coupled with the wealth creation and agricultural intensification has led to an expansion of human activities. Results from this study showed that crop raiding and injuries due to shortage of forage and water provoked conflict between human and wildlife in Selous Game Reserve. Respondents report habitat disturbance, proximity to natural forest and increased subsistence agriculture influenced the occurrence of human wildlife conflicts. In both Mtepela and Zingakibaoni villages, analysis of satellite images showed that areas with thick forest, water and wetland vegetation have decreased. To effectively address this challenge, the study recommends that all policies related to natural resources be harmonized.