Local perceptions on ostrich conservation in farming areas around Lake Chivero Recreational Park, Zimbabwe

The common ostrich ( Struthio camelus ), despite its global classification as Least Concern, has experienced severe population declines in Zimbabwe, particularly within Lake Chivero Recreational Park (LCRP). This study assessed community perceptions, legal knowledge, and traditional uses of ostriches among 79 households in Maine, Mwashita, and Caroline villages, using a stratified random sampling design covering 28% of the household frame. Weighted estimates indicated that 59.0% of households could identify ostriches and 69.2% considered them important for conservation, yet only 55.7% reported willingness to notify authorities of sightings, revealing a perception–behaviour gap. Correct legal knowledge of wildlife law was critically low (16.9%), with village-level disparities highlighting localized enforcement gaps. Ethnobiological analysis showed moderate diversity of ostrich-related uses (UV = 1.39) and strong consensus on medicinal applications (IAR = 0.905), dominated by bone use (UAV = 68.2%). These findings demonstrate that ostrich conservation in LCRP is constrained by limited legal literacy, persistent traditional practices, socio-economic pressures, and the disconnect between positive attitudes and conservation action. Effective interventions must therefore move beyond awareness-building to strengthen procedural knowledge, institutional trust, and culturally sensitive alternatives, while extending benefit-sharing mechanisms to remote communities. Integrated strategies of this nature are essential to secure the long-term persistence of ostrich populations in Zimbabwe.