This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
Published on September 26, 2019, Tanzania's two-year anti-poaching programme has yielded mixed results, with a notable increase in wildlife populations in national parks and game reserves.
However, this growth has been accompanied by a rise in human-wildlife conflict, as wild animals encroach on human settlements and crops, particularly in areas adjacent to the Serengeti National Park and in the Manyara and Katavi regions in northern Tanzania.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Constantine Kanyasu revealed that the government is exploring the establishment of a special unit to address the issue.
Additionally, the authorities are seeking interested hunters to cull hippos and crocodiles in areas where they pose a threat to human safety.
According to Mr. Kanyasu, 'it is common to encounter a herd of elephants roaming in human habitats in parts of the country, and in some areas, hippos, lions, crocodiles, and leopards are a common sight.'
Communities living near the Serengeti National Park have reported an increase in elephant attacks, while those in Manyara and Katavi regions have faced frequent hippo and crocodile ambushes.
