Efforts to strengthen wildlife conservation in Tanzania have recorded significant success, with new national census results showing an increase in the number of animals across major ecosystems in the country.
The findings, released during the launch of the National Wildlife Census results held on June 17, 2026 in Arusha, show that continued protection and management measures led by the Tanzania National Parks Authority TANAPA and other conservation bodies have played a major role in improving wildlife populations.
The results were presented by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute TAWIRI, which conducted the census covering the 2024/2025 period.
The report shows a positive trend in wildlife numbers over the past ten years, alongside an expansion of surveyed ecological areas by about 10 percent.
The surveyed area increased from 297,224 square kilometres in 2014/2015 to 340,748 square kilometres in 2024/2025, covering about one-third of Tanzania’s land.
Speaking during the event, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, said Tanzania continues to stand out in Africa due to its strong wildlife populations and improved conservation systems.
She said the country is now estimated to have about 324,437 buffaloes and around 17,200 lions, making it the leading nation in Africa for buffalo populations and among the top countries for lions. Tanzania also ranks third in Africa for elephants, with about 66,700, and fourth for both black and white rhinos, which are estimated at around 302.
According to Dr. Kijaji, these achievements are the result of joint efforts by conservation institutions including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority NCAA, TANAPA, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority TAWA, and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency TFS, which continue to strengthen protection of wildlife and natural habitats.
However, she cautioned that human activities such as farming, fishing, and livestock keeping are increasingly affecting wildlife areas and changing natural ecosystems.
“Even though we are seeing an increase in wildlife numbers, the census has also identified human activities as a growing challenge in several wildlife areas. These activities threaten ecosystems, wildlife survival, and the future of tourism,” she said.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, Timotheo Mzava, said the new data will help the government and Parliament make better decisions on conservation and improve policies that support both wildlife protection and communities living near protected areas.
He said scientific evidence from the census will guide discussions on how to balance conservation needs with human development.
Presenting the detailed findings, the Director General of TAWIRI, Dr. Eblate Mjingo, said the census recorded 28 species of medium and large wild animals across different ecosystems in the country.
He said the results show clear improvement in wildlife populations compared to the past decade, reflecting stronger protection measures and better management of protected areas.
He added that animals such as elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, giraffes, wildebeests, and antelopes have all shown an increase in numbers.
National parks including Serengeti National Park Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park Mikumi National Park, Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park, and Katavi National Park Katavi National Park were identified as leading areas with the highest concentration of wildlife.
The launch event was attended by senior government officials, including leaders from Arusha Region, district commissioners, conservation authorities, and representatives from TANAPA, TFS, NCAA, and TAWA, along with tourism stakeholders and political leaders.
The results have been welcomed as a strong signal that conservation efforts are working, although experts continue to warn that more attention is needed to address human pressure on protected areas to ensure the gains are sustained for future generations.
