The government has stepped up efforts to address the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict by fitting satellite tracking collars on 51 elephants and 20 lions across key conservation areas in the country.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji, said the move is part of a broader strategy aimed at protecting communities while strengthening wildlife conservation through the use of modern technology and scientific research.
Dr. Kijaji said that by April in the 2025/26 financial year, the ministry, in collaboration with conservation stakeholders, had successfully installed radio-tracking collars on 51 lead elephants in various councils across Tanzania.
The collars enable wildlife experts to monitor the movement of elephant herds in real time, helping authorities issue early warnings when the animals move closer to villages, farms or human settlements.
“This technology is helping us improve the management of dangerous and destructive wildlife while protecting both citizens and the animals themselves,” she said.
The minister added that 20 lions have also been fitted with the tracking devices in some of Tanzania’s largest protected ecosystems, including the Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Maswa Game Reserve.
The initiative is expected to strengthen surveillance of predator movements and improve rapid response mechanisms in areas frequently affected by wildlife invasions.
Human-wildlife conflict remains one of the major challenges facing communities living near conservation areas, particularly in regions prone to elephant invasions that destroy crops and threaten livelihoods.
Experts say the use of tracking technology has become increasingly important in balancing conservation efforts with the safety and economic wellbeing of local communities.
Dr. Kijaji also commended the role of the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, describing the institution as the backbone of wildlife science and research in the country.
She said TAWIRI continues to provide critical scientific advice to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and other conservation stakeholders, supporting policy decisions, wildlife monitoring and ecosystem management.
The latest intervention reflects Tanzania’s growing investment in technology-driven conservation as the country seeks to preserve its globally renowned wildlife heritage while reducing conflicts between people and wild animals.
