President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday received the 2024/25 National Wildlife Census Report, describing the findings as a strong indication that Tanzania’s conservation efforts are yielding positive results amid growing global pressure on biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
The report, presented at the State House in Dar es Salaam by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), revealed a positive conservation trend over the past decade, with 28 species of medium and large wildlife assessed across the country’s major ecosystems.
The latest census also marks a historic milestone after becoming the first nationwide wildlife census to be financed entirely through domestic resources, reflecting what officials described as Tanzania’s increasing institutional and financial capacity to manage and protect its natural heritage.
President Samia commended the ministry and conservation stakeholders for successfully implementing the exercise, which was conducted between September 2024 and October 2025.
She said the outcome reinforces Tanzania’s standing as one of Africa’s leading wildlife destinations and underlines the strategic importance of conservation to tourism, ecological sustainability and national identity.
The President also directed the ministry to strengthen public awareness campaigns on wildlife conservation, insisting that environmental protection should become part of the country’s social and cultural consciousness.
She further stressed the importance of introducing children and young people to wildlife education through Kiswahili names of animal species, saying such knowledge would help build patriotism and long-term conservation responsibility among future generations.
“This is part of our national heritage. Young Tanzanians must grow up understanding the value of conserving the resources that define our country,” she said.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji, credited the government’s financial commitment for enabling the successful implementation of the exercise without external support.
She said the census provides an important scientific foundation for future policy planning, wildlife management and conservation strategies.
The nationwide wildlife census, conducted once every 10 years, covered multiple ecological systems across the country and involved extensive field research coordinated by TAWIRI experts and conservation authorities.
Detailed findings of the report are expected to be officially released in the coming days.
Tanzania remains home to some of Africa’s globally recognised conservation areas, including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Nyerere National Park, which continue to play a critical role in tourism, research and environmental preservation.
