Assessing the Effectiveness of the ANIDER System for Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict in Musalangu GMA, Eastern Province, Zambia

Abstract

<jats:p>Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) remains a critical challenge affecting both rural livelihoods and conservation outcomes in Zambia's Luangwa Valley, particularly within the Musalangu Game Management Area (GMA). This study assessed the effectiveness of the ANIDER (Animal Intrusion Detection and Response) system, a sensor-based early warning technology, in mitigating HWC in Chifunda Chiefdom. Using a mixed-methods design, the research deployed ten ANIDER devices-six Active Infrared (AIR) units and four Passive Infrared (PIR) units-across three Village Action Groups (VAGs): Chitemwa, Chingozi, and Kalasa. Structured questionnaires were administered to 394 smallholder farmers through stratified random sampling, while qualitative data were collected through interviews and thematic content analysis.</jats:p>