Largely absent from the current scientific dialog is recognition of which voices should contribute to decisions on the future of Africa's elephants, particularly those living in the Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. We argue that elephant conservation policy must take into account the voices of the people bearing the cost of living with wildlife, as well as the nations with the responsibility of hosting elephant populations. Southern African elephant conservation is a 'wicked problem', which is best addressed through small wins approaches. Specifically, research on changes in local political and governance dynamics resulting from community conservation programs is needed, to identify new modalities for community level engagement. Additionally, research into policy implications, as well as seasonal resource needs of humans and wildlife, from zoning and corridor development to facilitate landscape level movement is needed. A modular approach to research for ensuring functional social–ecological landscapes within the KAZA context could help sustain both wildlife and communities in the region.

中文翻译：

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需要更具包容性的大象保护科学

当前科学对话中最缺乏的是，对哪种声音应该对非洲大象，尤其是生活在卡万戈-赞比西河边境保护区的大象的未来决策做出贡献的认识。我们认为，大象保护政策必须考虑到承担野生动物生活成本的人民以及负责接待大象种群的国家的声音。南部非洲大象的保护是一个“邪恶的问题”，最好通过小胜制解决。具体来说，需要研究由社区保护计划导致的当地政治和治理动态变化，以确定社区参与的新模式。此外，研究政策含义，以及人类和野生动植物的季节性资源需求，从分区和走廊开发到景观水平移动都非常必要。确保KAZA环境下的功能性社会生态景观的模块化研究方法可以帮助维持该地区的野生动植物和社区。