Ticks and tick-borne diseases remain a major constraint to livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in

areas where wildlife and livestock interact. This study characterized ticks collected from selected wild animals in

Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe, using morphological and molecular approaches, and screened ticks for the

presence of Theileria spp. A total of 16 adult ticks were collected from impala (Aepyceros melampus, n = 6), zebra (Equus

quagga, n = 3), warthog (Phacochoerus africanus, n = 3) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus, n = 5). Morphological

identification was conducted using standard Southern African dichotomous keys, while molecular confirmation employed

cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) PCR region. Detection of Theileria spp.

was conducted using genus-specific PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Ticks belonging to three genera (Rhipicephalus,

Amblyomma and Hyalomma) were identified, with Rhipicephalus spp. accounting for 81.3% of specimens. Genus-specific

PCR detected Theileria DNA in 5 of 16 ticks (31.3%), exclusively within Rhipicephalus species. Although based on a

limited sample size, the findings provide baseline evidence of wildlife-livestock interface. The study highlights the

importance of incorporating wildlife into tick surveillance and control strategies to support livestock health and agricultural

productivity in Zimbabwe.

Keywords: ticks; wildlife–livestock interface; Theileria; molecular identification; agriculture; Zimbabwe