Summary

Understanding space use patterns of animals’ particulary livestock and wildlife is important especially when they share similar grazing areas.

 My research focuses on trying to understand factors influencing livestock movement (cattle) which may inevitably promote interaction with wildlife at the periphery of wildlife rich areas. Knowledge on the spatio-temporal dynamics of livestock movement as well as, landscape selection and grazing preferences of cattle will not only aid farmers in acquiring knowledge on how they can better manage their livestock but also help promote conservation management.

 Using remotely sensed data together with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) we develop new ways of understanding movement geography and resource utilization by cattle at an interface between Gonarezhou National park and a surrounding communal area. The research also incorporates ground validation as well as monitoring grazing behavior of animals and how this is influenced by resource availability as well as cattle owner strategies. Results from this study are important as knowledge of movement drivers that increase contact risks with wildlife (predation or disease transmission) will aid in establishment of rangeland strategies that will minimise contact with wildlife.