An exploratory stakeholder survey of knowledge, perceptions, and conservation support for dinosaur tracks and fossil sites in Chewore South, Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe

This study presents an exploratory stakeholder survey of knowledge, perceptions, and conservation support for dinosaur track and fossil sites in Chewore South, Middle Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. Using a structured questionnaire administered to 78 stakeholders from conservation, education, government, tourism, and community sectors, the study assessed awareness of the Mutumbi and Angwa fossil and track sites, perceptions of their scientific, heritage, and tourism value, support for conservation, perceived threats, and views on protection responsibility. The findings revealed relatively high stakeholder awareness and consistently strong support for conserving these geoheritage resources, with vandalism, uncontrolled access, and low public awareness identified as the main threats. The study provides an important baseline for evidence-based geoheritage conservation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable management of fossil and dinosaur track sites in Zimbabwe.