Insights of Legal and illegal wildlife hunting in Selous and Rungwa Game Reserves in the South-East and Central Tanzania

A 15-year analysis of trophy hunting and poaching in Tanzania's Selous and Rungwa Game Reserves reveals no evidence linking regulated hunting to increased wildlife poaching, except for African elephants. The study found that elephant poaching rates exceeded legal hunting levels due to strict CITES quotas and IUCN restrictions, challenging the argument that trophy hunting drives illegal wildlife trade. Instead, it suggests that conservation efforts should prioritize anti-poaching measures while adhering to legal hunting regulations. The research examined data on six species, including lions, buffalo, zebras, hippos, and kudu, using long-term records to assess the impact of regulated hunting on poaching dynamics.

Gasto, J. L., Rudolf, M., & Alex, W. K. (2020). Insights of Legal and illegal wildlife hunting in Selous and Rungwa Game Reserves in the South-East and Central Tanzania. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(4), 326–336. https://doi.org/10.5897/ijbc2020.1424