Man and Beast at Crossroads: An Analysis of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in western Serengeti, Tanzania

Abstract

The study was designed to fathom the magnitude of the problem of destructive wild animals in western Serengeti.  Information was collected through literature reviews ad fieldwork.  A sample of five villages was investigated.  The area suffers from wildlife crop damage valued at US$ 484,000 annually.  Problem animals are elephants and wildebeests.  Elephants have increased since 2000 due to increased anti-poaching activities.  Food insecurity has increased as livelihood strategies are changing.  Wildlife has not seriously threatened human life.  Attacks on livestock have been relatively low.  Farmers have been unsuccessfully chasing animals by tin noises, hot chillies and fencing with tobacco and chilly shrubs.  Game scouts have used blank cartridges and live ammunition.  Culling of elephants, allowing for controlled ivory trade, paying compensation, and empowering game scouts were frequently mentioned strategies for solving the problem.  Establishment of a Wildlife Management Area is arguably an alternative economic enterprise to agriculture.  Existence of skewed power relations in villages needs to be adjusted to enhance blossoming of democratic processes that are a prerequisite for sustainable development.