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.
Wildlife crime such as illegal hunting of elephants and rhinos is currently one of the major issues in conservation. In order to combat poaching, law enforcement is essential. Here, we reviewed wildlife cases from the Northern Zone Anti‐Poaching Unit, Arusha, Tanzania (APU‐Arusha), focusing on the types of wildlife offence committed, prosecution outcomes and the sentences awarded to the offenders who were found guilty by the courts. Eighty‐two registered cases were thoroughly reviewed. The majority of wildlife offences committed were unlawful possession of, and failure to report, government trophies. It was found that only 16% of the accused were found guilty, 6% were acquitted, 30% of the charges were withdrawn, and 48% of the cases were discharged by the director of public prosecution (DPP) or magistrate. The poor conviction rate was attributed to weak evidence, failure of the prosecution to prove cases beyond reasonable doubt, lack of cooperation between the zonal game office and the DPP, and in some cases, the accused jumped their bails. Understanding the factors which allow individuals to continue to engage in poaching and the factors that promote the practice of good governance is vital in trying to stop wildlife crimes.
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