While movement patterns of grazing ungulates are strongly dependent on forage quality their use of nutrient hotspots such as termite mounds or grazing lawns has rarely been quantified, especially in savanna ecosystems where soil-nutrient quality is low. Additionally, few experiments have been conducted to determine the role of termite mound-and grazing lawn-derived soils in improving forage quality in the field. We studied wild ungulate grazing activities around ten termite mounds, six grazing lawns and their respective control sites in a Miombo system of Issa Valley, western Tanzania, in the same system. We used indirect observations (i.e., dung, tracks) to identify seasonal and spatial variations in habitat use of various wild mammalian grazers. Grazer visitation rates were nine and three times higher on termite mounds and grazing lawns, respectively, compared to control sites. During the rainy season, termite mounds were more frequently used than grazing lawns while the latter were used more often during the dry season. In an additional pot experiment with soils derived from different areas, we found that Cynodon dactylon in termite mound-derived soils had twice as high Nitrogen and Phosphorous contents and biomass compared to grasses planted in grazing lawn soils and control site soils. We highlight that both termite mounds and grazing lawns play a significant role in influencing seasonal nutrient dynamics, forage nutrient quality, habitat selectivity, and, hence, grazing activities and movement patterns of wild ungulate grazers in savannas. We conclude that termite mounds and grazing lawns are important for habitat heterogeneity in otherwise nutrient-poor savanna systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a potential threat to wildlife resources in Africa. In this review, using Tanzania as a case, we examine the impacts and risks that wildlife sectors in Africa are facing or are likely to face as a result of this pandemic. We recognize loss of revenues from tourism as a major impact that could negatively influence the management of wildlife species and habitats. Loss of tourism revenues reduces capacity of the conservation agencies to fund conservation operations and support the benefit sharing schemes. Furthermore, it undermines the efficacy of conservation to compete with alternative economic activities which are ecologically damaging. Increased unemployment and household poverty due to closure of businesses may exacerbate wildlife crime and unsustainable activities. Additionally, contributions from donor-funding organizations and development partners cannot be guaranteed as revenues may be diverted to support other sectors including health. In order to address and minimize the impacts and reduce the risks to the wildlife sector, the following policy measures are recommended: ensure adequate budget for conservation; develop a crisis management plan; reconsider protocols for conducting wildlife trade; develop a comprehensive tourism recovery plan; promote scientific studies focusing on zoonoses and adopt a One-Health Approach as a matter of urgency in dealing with COVID-19 and future pandemics.

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Wildlife corridors play a vital role in maintaining genetic connectivity between distant populations and provide a mix of habitats for various wildlife. Makuyuni wildlife corridor in Arusha, Tanzania, is a critical connection between Tarangire National Park, Lolkisale, Simanjiro Game Controlled Areas, Manyara Ranch, and Essmingor Forest Nature Reserve. The corridor is the main route of the northern sub-population of elephants in Tarangire National Park. Currently, the corridor faces activities such as settlements, livestock keeping, and farmlands. Ground distance sampling and GPS location were used to assess the number of individuals counted, frequency of occurrence (e), and abundance (estimate ± standard error) of large mammal species. Further, classification of satellite images was used to determine land use and land cover change between 2015 and 2021in the Makuyuni study site. Eight herbivores and two carnivore species were observed during our study, with different encounter rates and estimates. The most abundant wildlife species were Thomson gazelles (e=88, 1511±256), elephant (e=12, 783 ±198), zebra (e=14, 694±239), Giraffe (e=10, 185 ±74). We also encountered two livestock species in the study area; shoats (sheep and goat) (e=27, 15854 ±2020) and cattle (e=26, 7479 ±2126). In 2015, the 261 km2 Makuyuni study area was covered by 36.8% farmland, 24.11% woodland, 6.2% shrubland, 15.6% grassland, 17.2% bare land, and 0.1% water. In 2021 farmland increased to 41%, woodland, to 11.28%, shrubland to 9.1%, and 24.2% grassland. However, bare land was reduced to 14.4% and water to 0.03%. Despite the loss of habitat and increased human activities, the corridor remains viable for wildlife movements due to the wildlife distribution pattern connecting Lolkisale-Simanjiro GCAs and Tarangire National Park to Essmingor Forest Nature Reserve. The revealed distribution and connectivity may also pose a plan and piloting the implementation of the corridor regulation of 2018 by setting beacons while controlling human activities