‘Elephants must also fund their own upkeep…’ : a WPR-analysis of the tensions between the government and conservation NGOs on the management and mitigation of the elephant crisis in Zimbabwe

Abstract: The purpose of the thesis is to analyse the tensions between the government and conservation NGOs regarding the mitigation of the elephant crisis in Zimbabwe. The thesis aims to examine their contrasting representations of the problem and the discourses/knowledges that inspire their arguments. This is done in order to canvass what subjects, effects, and socio-economic implication the representations of the problem produce. Analysis of empirical material will be done using Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the problem Represented to be?” approach. The method has the foundation on the notion that problems are not self-evident, but that policies create specific representations of the problem. The analysis demonstrates that the tensions over the management and mitigation of the elephant crisis in Zimbabwe are not over a self-evident elephant problem. It rather demonstrates that the tensions emanate from contrasting representations of the problem by the government and conservation NGOs. Such contrasts result from contrasting discourses and knowledges that these antagonists base their arguments on. This, in turn leads to tensions regarding the proposed solutions to the crisis.