Manyara Ranch: a potential model for wildlife management in Tanzania
Date
2016-09
Authors
Pole, Aistair, author
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Journal Title
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Abstract
Tanzania is a country blessed with incredible natural resources and abundant wildlife. It has the potential to have one of the most successful and viable wildlife industries in Africa. However, its policies do not support local level user rights and it has no models on which to base successful wildlife ranching. It is believed that the country would benefit enormously from an established model of a successful wildlife ranch which can then also have an influence on policy formulation to create the right environment for the growth of a wildlife industry. Manyara Ranch provides an ideal opportunity to achieve this. It is a 45,000 acre ranch in the Masaai Steppe of northern Tanzania that forms a critical corridor for wildlife movement between Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Lake Natron to the north in one of the continents most recognised and game rich landscapes. As a result, it has good wildlife populations with some being resident but most migrating through the area. Manyara Ranch is held in Trust for the benefit of its neighbouring communities but has suffered decades of mismanagement and poor performance as a mixed wildlife and livestock operation. In 2013 the African Wildlife Foundation took over management of the ranch and much has been done to improve the situation and develop a plan for the future development into a model wildlife and livestock operation. Critical to this has been the re engagement with the neighbouring communities and gaining their trust and support.
Description
Presented at the 9th international wildlife ranching symposium: wildlife - the key to prosperity for rural communities, held on 12-16 September 2016 at Hotel Safari & the Safari Court, Windhoek, Namibia.