WILDLIFE CRIME IN ZIMBABWE: IMPLICATIONS ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Using case law and thematic content analysis, this study tracks the major strands defining wildlife crime in Zimbabwe with a view to draw lessons that can be critical in policy implementation, policy monitoring, law making and for sustainability. Each year, Zimbabwe loses thousands of specimen wildlife (plant, animal and bird) to poachers. Crime reports about the trials of the poachers are prepared and yet, there is an absence of nuanced literature to track and review the meaningfulness of such reports. Among the commonly reported major wildlife crimes are the illicit trade in wildlife products, failure to comply with existing wildlife laws and the capturing of the near extinct pangolin. It emerged that the major motivating factors to wildlife crime are economic (income generation or wealth creation) and partly social. There are several deterrents from the global conventions such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and local laws but are failing to curtail wildlife crime. It is recommended that the use of information awareness can play a pivotal role in reducing wildlife crime as the main perpetrators of exhibit undue naivety and ignorance when it comes to conviction of their crimes. Keywords: Corruption, Crime reports, Enforcement, Illicit trade,Poaching