Tackling human-wildlife conflict in the Ruvuma transboundary landscape

With funding from the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative, WWF is collaborating with local partners to improve coexistence between people and wildlife in southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique.

a group photo of the project team SWISSAID agroecology farm

Project overview

WWF is working with local communities, partners (SWISSAID and UniLúrio) and government agencies in the Ruvuma transboundary landscape. We're developing collaborative strategies that better prevent, manage and respond to human-wildlife conflict. Diversified agroecology livelihood initiatives also aim to reduce conflict, improve tolerance for wildlife and work towards coexistence.

The three-year project (from May 2023 to March 2026) is funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative.

Why we are doing it

The Ruvuma Transboundary Landscape is remarkable and vital. It spans approximately 370,000 sq km across southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The region is one of Africa’s largest and most intact remaining natural habitats. It's an increasingly rare natural haven both for wildlife and for people and is home to many threatened species. This includes African savannah elephants, lions, and wild dogs.

Yet, the Ruvuma landscape is under growing pressure from many threats. Expanding roads, infrastructure and agriculture are carving up natural habitats and increasing fragmentation. And, a growing human population is intensifying competition for natural resources.

As the pressures on the landscape increase, so does the risk of conflict between people and wildlife. Damage to crop fields by elephants, baboons and bushpigs happen regularly. Loss of livestock to lions and other predators adds even further to people’s hardship. The threat of animal attacks while collecting firewood, water, or travelling on foot, are ever present. And, retaliatory wildlife killings threaten species including elephants and lions.

Project impact

© WWF-Tanzania

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Assessing human-wildlife conflict risks

The project is assessing human-wildlife conflict risks in Tunduru and Namtumbo districts in Tanzania, and Sanga district in Mozambique. Support will be provided to develop 10 participatory local action plans to improve human-wildlife conflict management. This will reach over 23,000 people.
© Katherine Elliott / WWF-UK

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Reducing human-wildlife conflict in 10 hotspot areas

Immediate interventions are being undertaken to reduce human-wildlife conflict in 10 hotspot areas. These include supporting Village Game Scouts, Community Rangers and District Officials to respond quickly to incidents. We are also providing equipment and training to prevent conflict. For example, chilli fences and beehives, which help deter elephants from damaging crops.
© Jerry Mushala / WWF-UK

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Community engagement initiatives

Community engagement initiatives aim to reach over 3,000 people. Particularly, schoolchildren to increase their understanding of human-wildlife conflict and improve safety. Better monitoring and reporting systems will also help to track cases of human-wildlife conflict and predict future trends.
© Jerry Mushala / WWF-UK

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Providing training on conservation-friendly farming

Our local partner (SWISSAID) is collaborating with communities to provide training on agroecology and conservation-friendly farming. This will help reduce human-wildlife conflict, increase food security and improve land-use efficiency. For example, diversifying crops to include sesame or sunflower can reduce damage to fields because these crops are less preferred by elephants.