While efforts to protect wildlife in Tanzania are commendable, challenges persist, particularly regarding the treatment of animals in captivity. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Every year on March 3rd, the world unites to celebrate World Wildlife Day, a crucial occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.
The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 1973 signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a landmark treaty aimed at protecting endangered animals and plants from the threats of illegal trade and habitat destruction.
This global observance serves as a call to action, urging individuals, governments, and conservation organizations to step up efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ensure that future generations inherit a thriving natural world.
In Tanzania, where wildlife is not only a national treasure but also a significant pillar of the economy, conservation remains an urgent priority. Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Pindi Chana, has repeatedly stressed the critical role that wildlife plays in the country’s ecological and economic fabric.
"Protecting our wildlife is not just about saving species; it is about preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystems, supporting local livelihoods, and securing the future of our tourism industry," she stated recently.
Her remarks underline the broader importance of conservation beyond the mere protection of animals—it is an issue of national development, sustainability, and identity.
Despite these commitments, Tanzania continues to grapple with the relentless threat of poaching, a crisis that has devastated elephant populations over the years. Between 2009 and 2012 alone, the country’s elephant numbers plummeted from an estimated 109,000 to around 70,000 due to an illicit ivory trade driven by international demand, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
The situation became so dire that the government was forced to take drastic action, dismissing 21 game wardens accused of colluding with poachers and launching military-backed operations to dismantle poaching networks.
"This is a fight for our national heritage," said a senior official from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. "We cannot allow criminal syndicates to rob future generations of Tanzania’s wildlife."
The anti-poaching war has, at times, come at a high political cost. Several years ago, four cabinet ministers resigned following public outcry over the mismanagement of an anti-poaching operation. The resignations highlighted the deep-seated challenges in enforcing conservation policies, from corruption to logistical constraints.
However, the government remains determined, continuously implementing new measures to protect wildlife, including the deployment of advanced surveillance technology and increased patrols in key protected areas.
While the battle against poaching rages on, another, more complex challenge looms: human-wildlife conflict. As Tanzania's population grows, settlements increasingly encroach upon wildlife habitats, leading to frequent and often deadly encounters between humans and animals.
Villagers living near conservation areas report instances of elephants trampling crops, lions attacking livestock, and even hippos and crocodiles killing unsuspecting farmers and fishermen.
"We have lost too many people and too many livelihoods to these conflicts," laments a village elder from a community near Serengeti National Park. "We are told not to harm the animals, but what about when they harm us?"
This dilemma presents a legal and ethical conundrum. Tanzania’s conservation laws strictly prohibit the killing of protected wildlife, imposing severe penalties for poaching and illegal hunting.
Nevertheless, the law also allows self-defense in cases where human life is under immediate threat. The ambiguity in these provisions has led to frustration among local communities, many of whom feel that conservation policies prioritize animal welfare over human safety. The tension between preserving wildlife and protecting communities is a delicate balancing act—one that requires innovative solutions.
Recognizing this challenge, conservation organizations and development partners are working to mitigate human-wildlife conflict through sustainable initiatives.
The defunct USAID-Tuhifadhi Maliasili project is one such effort, promoting alternative livelihoods that reduce dependency on environmentally destructive activities.
In Muheza District, for example, farmers are being trained in organic spice farming, an approach that not only provides stable income but also contributes to reforestation and soil conservation.
"Before, I used chemical fertilizers and pesticides, not realizing the damage I was causing to the environment," says Ramadhan Kaniki, a farmer benefiting from the initiative. "Now, my farm is thriving, the soil is healthier, and we have more pollinators. It’s a win-win."
The intersection of conservation and economic empowerment is proving to be a viable path forward. Similar initiatives in the Amani-Nilo Forest Corridor have shown that when communities benefit directly from conservation efforts, they become more invested in protecting wildlife.
By linking certified organic spice farmers to reliable local and international markets, the project not only sustains forests but also boosts rural economies.
Beyond economic incentives, conservation efforts in Tanzania are also taking on a cultural and spiritual dimension. In Babati Town, the founder of the Rafiki Wildlife Foundation, Clemence Matwiga, who is also a pastor, has integrated biblical teachings into his environmental advocacy.
"We are stewards of God's creation," he explains. "Just as Adam and Eve were entrusted with the Garden of Eden, we too have a divine responsibility to protect the wildlife around us." His approach has resonated with many, demonstrating that conservation messages can be effectively communicated through diverse platforms and belief systems.
While efforts to protect wildlife in Tanzania are commendable, challenges persist, particularly regarding the treatment of animals in captivity. Across the world, thousands of wild animals are held in unnatural conditions, forced to perform for entertainment, or kept in inadequate enclosures under the guise of conservation.
From tigers trained for circus acts to elephants forced into tourist rides, the exploitation of captive wildlife remains an urgent ethical dilemma. While awareness campaigns have brought some of these cruelties to light, dismantling the commercial machinery that profits from wildlife suffering requires a stronger global commitment. Countries that have taken conservation seriously, such as Kenya, Botswana, and Costa Rica, offer compelling examples of how protecting nature can drive economic prosperity and lift communities out of poverty.
In Kenya, wildlife tourism is more than an industry—it’s a lifeline. The Maasai Mara, home to the Great Migration, attracts visitors from around the world, proving to local communities that conservation holds greater value than poaching. “A live elephant is worth far more than a dead one,” a Maasai elder once said, capturing the shift in perspective that has turned wildlife into an economic powerhouse.
Costa Rica takes this philosophy even further. Once struggling with deforestation, the country rewrote its future through bold conservation policies, reforestation, and a booming ecotourism industry.
By investing in national parks and banning hunting, it revived its wildlife populations and established itself as a global leader in sustainable travel. Its success is a testament to the idea that a country’s natural heritage if nurtured, can become one of its greatest economic assets.
Tanzania, with its vast Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Selous Game Reserve, holds the same potential. But for wildlife to remain a cornerstone of its economy, conservation must be more than just policy—it must be action. Stricter anti-poaching laws, sustainable livelihood programs, and legal clarity on human- wildlife conflicts all need to work in harmony.
As the world marks another World Wildlife Day, the message is clear: protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental concern—it is a social, economic, and moral imperative.
"If we do not act now," warns Dr. Chana, "we risk losing not only our wildlife but the very essence of who we are as a nation." In the face of mounting environmental pressures, Tanzania stands at a crossroads. The path forward must be one of coexistence, where people and wildlife thrive together, bound by a shared future and a common responsibility to protect the natural world.