Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41027958›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Mapping human fatalities from megafauna to inform coexistence strategies.

Blessing Kavhu, Courage Mutema, Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi, Edson Gandiwa, Justice Muvengwi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Blessing KavhuEnvironmental Studies, University of California, 1156 High 5th, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA. bkavhu@ucsc.edu.
Courage MutemaScientific Services Unit, Head Office, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, , Corner Borrowdale/ Sandringham Drive, Alexandra Park, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Kudzai Shaun MpakairiInstitute for Water Studies, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
Edson GandiwaScientific Services Unit, Head Office, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, , Corner Borrowdale/ Sandringham Drive, Alexandra Park, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Justice MuvengwiSchool of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Human fatalities from human-wildlife conflict (HWC) represent a critical dimension of conservation, often triggering retaliatory actions and post-traumatic stress in affected communities. However, most studies focus on the economic implications of HWC, neglecting human fatalities which may have far-reaching long-term implications. This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of human fatalities caused by megafaunal species in Zimbabwe, using data collected from 2016 to 2022. Through spatial and statistical analyses based on the Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis and Mann-Kendall trend test, we assess fatalities caused by six megafaunal species: Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), African elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), African lion (Panthera leo) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). The results of the study showed that crocodiles and elephants account for over 80% of human fatalities in Zimbabwe. These fatalities also significantly increased over the study period (p < 0.03). In contrast, fatalities involving lions, hyenas, hippos, and buffaloes showed no significant increase, indicating more stable but still concerning risks. Fatality hotspots were concentrated in Kariba, Binga and Hwange districts in northern and western Zimbabwe, highlighting areas needing urgent interventions. These insights have broader implications for HWC management across Africa, where megafaunal species frequently interact with human populations. By adopting data-driven, species-specific strategies, other countries facing similar conflicts can foster human-wildlife coexistence and improve conservation outcomes.

Indexed as

Animals, WildConservation of Natural ResourcesAlligators and CrocodilesAnimalsElephantsHumansZimbabweCoexistenceDeathsGettis Ord G*Mental healthPsychosocialRetaliatory killing

Identifiers

PMID41027958
PMCPMC12485064

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.