The Tanzanian government has earmarked Sh4 billion ($1.5 million) to conduct a national wildlife census for the 2025/26 season, The Citizen reported on Saturday.
This initiative, overseen by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), aims to enhance wildlife conservation, inform policy decisions, and improve wildlife management strategies.
According to TAWIRI’s 2024 wildlife census report, Tanzania leads Africa in buffalo and lion populations. Out of Africa’s total estimated 401,000 buffalo, Tanzania is home to 225,000, followed by South Africa (46,000), Mozambique (45,000), Kenya (42,000), and Zambia (41,000). The country also boasts the continent’s largest lion population, with 17,000 of Africa’s 29,000 lions. In comparison, South Africa has 3,284 lions, Botswana hosts 3,064, while Kenya and Zambia each have 2,500.
TAWIRI’s Director of Wildlife Research, Julius Keyyu, reportedly announced on Saturday that the census, which began in September 2024, is set to conclude later this year.
“So far, we have completed five out of nine ecological zones, including Katavi-Rukwa, Ruaha-Rungwa, Nyerere-Selous-Mikumi, West Kilimanjaro-Lake Natron, and Mkomazi, which account for 65 percent of the total work,” he was quoted as saying.
The census relies on aerial surveys, with experts onboard aircraft to conduct wildlife counting. So far, Sh2.7 billion (about $1.04 million) of the allocated budget has been utilized to support the project.
Dr. Hamza Kija, TAWIRI’s chief researcher for the Wildlife Census Unit, emphasized that the current phase focuses on key species, including elephants, buffalo, elands, giraffes, and zebras.
“Our goal is to obtain accurate population data for these species to inform policymaking and enhance their ecosystems, ensuring their survival for the future of both the tourism industry and the nation’s economy,” Dr. Kija said, as cited by the media outlet.