The human and financial costs of conservation for local communities living around the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Wildlife in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem (GSE) of Tanzania imposes substantial annual losses on local communities, including crop damage worth USD 489,000 and livestock depredation costing USD 17,600, alongside an average of 22 injuries and eight fatalities per year—primarily from elephants. A study analyzing government records and interviews over eight years (2015–2022) revealed that compensation covered less than 20% of financial losses, with minimal support for human casualties. The findings underscore the need for protected area authorities to prioritize community safety, implement deterrence strategies in conflict hotspots, and reform compensation policies to reflect actual costs. This research contributes critical insights to global conservation efforts, highlighting the urgent need for balanced coexistence between biodiversity protection and local livelihoods.

Kegamba, J. J., Sangha, K. K., Wurm, P. A. S., Meitamei, J. L., Tiotem, L. G., & Garnett, S. T. (2024). The human and financial costs of conservation for local communities living around the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania. Global Ecology and Conservation, 52, e02974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02974