Working with communities to conserve lions and their habitat

Western Tanzania hosts one of Africa’s most important remaining lion populations but remains under the radar of conservation efforts. The knowledge of the status and populations of lions at this landscape scale remains incomplete or outdated. Under the impulse of the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF), several NGOs that work in the landscape (Panthera, Wasima, ADAP) plan to align efforts in the complex of protected areas to stabilise lion populations.

ADAP has secured a grant from the LRF to strengthen its lion conservation efforts. ADAP supports joint surveillance patrols organised by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and the authorities of the Mlele and Sikonge Districts, enforced jointly by TAWA rangers and the Village Game Scouts (VGS). The aim is to intensify patrol efforts to curb destructive activities such as illegal hunting, livestock grazing and deforestation for cultivation that impact ecosystems and wildlife populations among which are several threatened species such as lion. This approach also enables young people from neighbouring villages to acquire skills and access regular, well-paid jobs, contributing to strengthening local support for conservation.

What’s the key concern?

Historically, ecosystems and wildlife of western Tanzania thrived thanks to their isolation and low human presence. However, over the past decade, this balance has been disrupted by rapid changes. The region has experienced a significant influx of agro pastoralists, driving deforestation, expanding cultivation, establishing sub-villages, and encroaching on protected areas. This growth brings challenges like unregulated pastoralism, targeted killing of large carnivores, poaching, and increased wildlife roadkill due to upgraded roads crossing critical habitats.

Ecological monitoring conducted by ADAP in 2023-2025 and data from TAWA confirmed that lions still inhabit three protected areas supported by ADAP’s projects – Inyonga Game Reserve, Rungwa River Game Controlled Area and Ipole Wildlife Management Area – covering over 10,000 km² of miombo woodlands and flooded grasslands in the Mlele and Sikonge districts. These areas are crucial for connecting the national parks of the larger landscape (Katavi – Ruaha – Ugalla).

The support from the Lion Recovery Fund, topping up existing funding from the Geneva Federation of Cooperation, enables permanent village-led patrols throughout the year, thus significantly limiting the threats to lions while increasing the tangible benefits of conservation through the employment offered to local VFG and VGS.

How does ADAP take action in this new project?

ADAP’s activities focus on combating the threats to lions and wildlife: illegal hunting and deforestation, and livestock grazing inside protected areas. To do this, patrols will be increased in frequency and duration, with TAWA rangers and VGS deployed full-time ensuring a constant presence to deter illegal activities.

ADAP provides joint patrol teams with advanced monitoring tools, such as SMART (a software designed to improve the management of surveillance and monitoring efforts), and trains TAWA rangers and VGS to collect and analyse data. These data contribute to enhanced and tailored management actions and ultimately lead to improved management effectiveness.

To monitor developments and assess the impact of the actions taken, ADAP intends to implement specific methods for monitoring lions in collaboration with Panthera. A first spoor survey was conducted by Panthera in Rungwa River GCA in October 2025, confirming that despite the pressure lions continue to inhabit the area.

Project and Next Steps

In October 2025, ADAP signed a MoU with TAWA that formalises the collaboration. ADAP Tanzania ensures good coordination with JUHIWAI, the authorised association that manages Ipole WMA, and the local governments.

The first activities of the project were the acquisition of the equipment needed to implement the SMART tool and the training of rangers and VGS. The first joint patrols using SMART began following this initial training. All the activities under LRF are supervised by Valeria Shirima, natural resources officer of ADAP.

Moving forward, ADAP will focus on mobilizing additional resources, strengthening partnerships, and initiating field activities to implement conservation actions and community engagement as planned.