Building capacity for human-elephant coexistence in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania through farmer-based mitigation, livelihoods, training and technology

The coexistence of humans and wildlife is a great challenge today. This is particularly difficult in the case of the African elephant population. Nowadays, 100,000 elephants live in southern Tanzania – which is 20% of the total population of this species. This species has high spatial requirements and migrates over long distances, often entering areas occupied by humans what creates human-elephants conflicts (HEC). Main aim of the project is to promote coexistence of humans and elephants and to prevent HEC.

Project activities will focus on the Kilombero Valley region in Morogoro and villages adjacent to the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi reserves in the Singida region of southern Tanzania. There are important elephant migration corridors there and this region is essential for the functioning of the southern Tanzania’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, this area is densely populated and migrating elephants cause damage to crop farms, which is a source of conflict.

The project includes:

1. Implementation of innovative elephant deterrents;
2. Improving the potential of Tanzania in activities for nature protection;
3. Improving the potential of rangers to actively deter elephants;
4. Production of a movie in Swahili about the coexistence of humans and elephants.

Project collaborators: NGO Southern Tanzania Elephant Program (STEP)