Knowledge of birds of conservation interest among the people living close to protected areas in Serengeti, Northern Tanzania

A study on the Serengeti National Park revealed that residents living adjacent to the park, particularly men, older individuals (40-62 years), and Maasai tribe members, demonstrated strong recognition of eight bird species of conservation interest. Surprisingly, those with little or no formal education outperformed more educated respondents in bird recognition. Despite this, only about 50% of respondents recognized the selected species regardless of demographic factors, highlighting a need for targeted education programs to enhance wildlife resource recognition and biodiversity conservation awareness among communities surrounding the western Serengeti ecosystem. The research underscores the potential of integrating traditional knowledge into sustainable natural resource management.

Clamsen Mmassy, E., & Røskaft, E. (2013). Knowledge of birds of conservation interest among the people living close to protected areas in Serengeti, Northern Tanzania. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 9(2), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2013.788566