Human and wildlife conflict is a critical challenge that requires attention in South Africa. Wildlife or biodiversity conservation areas have specific procedures that regulate access, restrictions and guidelines on how people should behave within the jurisdiction of wildlife. As a result, clear boundaries create harmony between humans and wildlife hosting areas. However, wildlife escapes and the threatening presence of wild animals in residential areas create challenges contributing to human and wildlife conflict. This study emanates from the reports and experience of lion attacks in some communities near Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Through engagement with the affected community, this study aimed to find indigenous solutions to the issue of wildlife and human conflict caused by wildlife encroaching on human territory in the Ulundi area. This study further aimed to find ways of decolonizing Mfolozi Park as an environmental institution using the tenets of ubuntu and constitutional law. Views from local members indicated that the community seeks the principles of ubuntu to be exercised. The people seek their constitutional rights to be met as citizens of the South African country. This study interrogated the safety and security of this community related to their human dignity in order to create awareness and propose solutions to mitigate the intensifying human and wildlife conflict. The critical finding from this study was the community’s call for indigenized African solutions to this issue of wild animal escapes and damaging intrusion in their residential area.

Author: Nompumelelo Ngcobo

• Date of Conference: 4-6 November 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/LICE.2024.0030
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-74-7
• Conference Location: St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK