Human wildlife conflicts in Tanzania: what research and extension could offer to conflicts resolution

Abstract

Conflicts between wildlife and people, particularly those who share the immediate boundaries with protected areas, are common phenomenon’s all over the world. Dwindling of wildlife resources has been linked to human actions through overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution and introduction of non-native species. On the other hand, local people look at wildlife as a liability to them. This view is provoked by a bitter experience they have had due to costs inflicted by wildlife conservation. Such costs include; loss of access to legitimate and traditional rights, damage to crops and other properties, livestock depredation, and risk posed to people’s lives through disease transmission and attacks by wild animals. However, besides these conflicts, it is indisputable that wildlife can contribute significantly to the economy of the country and the welfare of the local communities, who, de facto are the ones bearing the costs of conservation. The contribution of wildlife resources to development of local communities will change the popular notion that has made people label wildlife as a liability. Research and extension are meaningful tools to this end. This paper reviews the major human-wildlife issues in Tanzania. It further recommends that research and extension be used as effective tools in resolving the prevailing human-wildlife conflicts with a view of lobbying for social acceptability and making wildlife an economic viable activity to local communities.