Tanzania Allocates Sh4 Billion for Wildlife Census 2025

Tanzania Allocates Sh4 Billion for National Wildlife Census

The Tanzanian government has allocated a total of Sh4 billion to support the nationwide wildlife census for the year 2025/2026. This effort, coordinated by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri), is aimed at contributing to wildlife conservation efforts and enhancing national policies related to wildlife management.

The ongoing census, which began in September 2024, is set to conclude this year. It focuses on gathering precise data on key wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, crucial for the development of effective conservation policies.

The census findings are particularly important given Tanzania's leadership in the African wildlife landscape. According to Tawiri’s 2024 census, Tanzania is home to a significant portion of Africa’s buffalo and lion populations. Specifically, the country hosts 225,000 buffaloes, which make up the majority of Africa’s total population of 401,000. South Africa follows with 46,000 buffaloes. Similarly, Tanzania leads the continent in lion numbers, housing 17,000 of Africa’s 29,000 lions. Other countries, such as South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, and Zambia, hold much smaller lion populations.

Julius Keyyu, Director of Wildlife Research at Tawiri, explained that five out of the nine designated ecological systems have been completed so far, including regions such as Katavi-Rukwa, Ruaha-Rungwa, and Nyerere-Selous-Mikumi, covering 65% of the total area. The census involves aerial surveys conducted by experts to count the wildlife.

Keyyu confirmed that the government has already allocated Sh2.7 billion of the Sh4 billion designated for this initiative. The census is part of a long-term effort to track wildlife numbers, dating back to 1987, and the current phase represents the 23rd such survey.

Dr. Hamza Kija, the Lead Researcher for the Wildlife Census at Tawiri, emphasized that the primary goal of this census is to accurately count these key species to inform policy decisions, improve ecological systems, and ensure the continued protection of these species. He noted the broader implications for Tanzania’s tourism industry and national economy, as wildlife plays a pivotal role in the country’s ecological and economic stability.