Wildlife damage in villages surrounding the Serengeti ecosystem

Human-wildlife conflict is one of the biggest challenges facing conservation in Tanzania and throughout the world. In this study, human-wildlife conflict was examined through the assessment of wildlife damage in villages surrounding the Serengeti ecosystem. Data were obtained through analysis of reports available at the Zonal Anti-Poaching Unit of Serengeti and key informant interviews. A total of 110 reports were reviewed. Most damage was from crop destruction (66 percent) while less damage resulted from livestock depredation (4 percent). Elephants (Loxodonta africana) were responsible for most damage (57.4 percent) that occurred between 2011 and 2014 with little damage (0.8 percent) caused by leopards (Panthera pardus). The crops most frequently destroyed by wild animals were maize and sorghum (with 153 hectares and 116 hectares destroyed respectively during the study period. High monetary loss was sustained from tomato cropping, TZS 176,004,825 (ca. USD 88,002.4), which was attributed to its high yields (12.41 tonnes/ha) and high market prices (1,550 TZS/kg). Wildlife officers used several methods to control problem animals including scaring and killing. Inadequate resources were identified as a key challenge to problem animal control. Other challenges were political interference and inadequate collaboration amongst staff from wildlife conservation agencies.