Tanzania allocates Sh4 billion for 2025/26 wildlife census

Arusha. The government has allocated Sh4 billion to fund the national wildlife census for the 2025/26 season.

Coordinated by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri), the census aims to support wildlife conservation efforts and inform policy development for wildlife protection and management.

According to the 2024 wildlife census report released by Tawiri, Tanzania leads Africa in buffalo and lion populations.

Africa is home to a total of 401,000 buffalo, with Tanzania hosting 225,000.

South Africa follows with 46,000, Mozambique with 45,000, Kenya with 42,000, and Zambia with 41,000.

Tanzania also boasts the largest lion population in Africa, with 17,000 of the 29,000 lions found across the continent.

South Africa follows with 3,284, Botswana has 3,064, while Kenya and Zambia each have 2,500.

Tawiri’s Director of Wildlife Research, Mr Julius Keyyu, said on Saturday, March 1, 2025, that the census began in September 2024 and is expected 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 explained.

The census is being conducted using aircraft, with experts onboard to carry out wildlife counting.

Mr Keyyu also confirmed that Sh4 billion has been allocated for the project, with Sh2.7 billion already spent.

Tawiri’s chief researcher for the Wildlife Census Unit, Dr Hamza Kija, mentioned that this phase of the census focuses on five key species: elephants, buffalo, elands, giraffes, and zebras.

“Our goal is to obtain accurate population data for these species to inform policy-making and enhance their ecosystems, ensuring their survival for the future of both the tourism industry and the nation’s economy,” Dr Kija said.

This year marks the 23rd phase of Tanzania’s wildlife census since its initiation in 1987.