NABU &
Social commitment
NABU cooperation exclusively with AURO
Humans and wildlife: from conflict to coexistence
Elephant conservation in Tanzania
The international projects primarily include projects that involve local people and contribute to sustainable development. AURO exclusively supports the work of the NABU International Nature Conservation Foundation. Human-wildlife conflicts are to be minimized near the Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania.
In Tanzania, humans and elephants have lived together for centuries. However, as more and more land is being used for agriculture, the population is growing and the traditional habitats of humans and animals are becoming smaller, conflicts are inevitable.
Pictures: Werner Schröder, NABU International
Mkomazi National Park
- Mkomazi National Park covers 3,245 km2 and is Tanzania’s youngest national park. The area has been a game reserve since 1951 and was declared a national park in 2008. Around 20 villages in the vicinity of the national park are affected by human-wildlife conflict.
- Approximately 60,000 elephants live in Tanzania and around 1,270 elephants live in Mkomazi National Park.
- Tanzania – The East African country is known for its natural wealth and wildlife, 38.24% of the land area is designated as a protected area.
- It is approximately three times the size of Germany and has a population of around 61,700 million.
- There are a total of 24 national parks and 17 game reserves (private national parks).
Destruction of crops
The elephants often come at night from the Mkomazi National Park to the nearby Shambas in search of water and food and destroy people’s houses and gardens.
From conflict to coexistence
The TANZANIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION was founded in 2019 to reduce conflicts with elephants. It advocates a gentle method of dealing with elephants.
Approach
- Involvement of the local population
- Erecting beehive fences, a non-lethal method
- Reducing conflicts with elephants
- Reduction of harvest losses
- Verification of local economic livelihoods
Beehive fences are built to protect the crops from the pachyderms. Elephants are afraid of bees as they can inflict painful stings. The fences, made of wire, are connected to beehives. If an elephant tries to enter the garden or field, the wire sets a whole row of beehives in motion. The alarmed bees fly out and chase the animals away.
NABU measures
- Tracking of migrating elephants, as migration routes must be kept clear
- Establishment of an early warning system for local communities and the national park
- Erecting beehive fences
- Training of local Village Game Scouts – village game scouts who ensure the sustainable conservation of natural resources (wildlife, forests, apiaries and fisheries) at village level
- Development of response teams
- Environmental education in schools and other institutions
- Water supply (pipeline) for the national park
