Over the last century, African large carnivores have undergone marked continent-wide range contractions, with losses estimated at 94% for lion (Panthera leo), 93% for African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), 92% for cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), 48-67% for leopard (in Africa; Panthera pardus; Jacobson et al., 2016), 24% for spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), and 15% for striped hyaena (across its global range; Hyaena hyaena; Wolf & Ripple, 2017). All of these species are also facing declining population trends (AbiSaid & Dloniak, 2015; Bauer et al., 2016; Bohm & Höner, 2015; Durant et al., 2015; Stein et al., 2020; Woodroffe & Sillero-Zubiri, 2020). As a result, four of the six large carnivore species found in Tanzania are classified as Threatened by the IUCN (Endangered: African wild dog; Vulnerable: lion, leopard, cheetah), while striped hyaena is classified as Near Threatened and spotted hyaena as Least Concern. These declines are primarily a result of ongoing habitat loss and degradation (Craigie et al., 2010; Newmark, 2008; Ogutu et al., 2016), declining prey numbers (Winterbach et al., 2013; Wolf & Ripple, 2016), and direct persecution by humans in retaliation for livestock predation (Dickman et al., 2014; Ogada et al., 2003; Woodroffe & Frank, 2005). Research into the status and ecology of large carnivore populations is essential to ensure their long-term conservation in the face of these threats (Boitani & Powell, 2012). Alongside this, efforts should be made to understand how different threats are impacting carnivore populations, and how these vary across different contexts. Having access to robust, site-specific scientific information of this kind enables decision-makers to evaluate the impact of different land uses and management strategies on the health of carnivore populations, and develop evidence-based policy and management plans.

This project encompasses large carnivore research, monitoring, and training programmes in Selous-Nyerere and Ruaha-Rungwa, targeting lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyaena, and striped hyaena. The proposed sites were targeted for this research because (1) they are lion strongholds, and host important populations of other large carnivores including the endangered African wild dog; (2) they are part of some of Tanzania’s most important wildlife corridors; (3) they have historically lacked research attention; (4) they experience human-carnivore conflict; and (5) they contain PAs where research findings can be used to help improve conservation and management of large carnivore populations. SELOUS-NYERERE The Selous-Nyerere ecosystem is believed to be home to some of Africa’s most important remaining populations of lion and African wild dog, as well as globally important populations of leopard and spotted hyaena (Bauer et al., 2016; Woodroffe & Sillero-Zubiri, 2020; TAWIRI, 2009a). Until recently, there was a paucity of information on the larger-scale spatial dynamics governing large carnivore distribution, habitat-use, and movement in the landscape. This hindered the development of larger-scale conservation strategies, and limited our understanding of factors driving large carnivores to utilise areas where the likelihood of conflict is greatest. From 2020 to 2022, we carried out spoor and camera trap surveys across Selous GR and Nyerere NP; in 2023 and 2024, we conducted repeat camera trap surveys and deployed GPS collars on lions and wild dogs in areas where we believe them to be most at risk of human impacts. Findings from this research suggest that there are anthropogenic impacts that are likely to impact large carnivore status (e.g. snaring) in areas close to PA boundaries. Continued monitoring of population trends for all large carnivores and in-depth research on demographics and movement of lions and wild dogs - two key species for conservation-related revenue generation - is required to investigate the status of these species in the landscape, to help effectively identify threats and develop appropriate conservation and conflict-mitigation interventions. RUAHA-RUNGWA Also located in southern Tanzania, the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem is recognised by the EU as a Key Landscape for Conservation due to its internationally important wildlife populations, attributed to its unique positioning at the transition zone between Eastern and Southern African ecoregions (European Commission, 2016). Ruaha-Rungwa is believed to harbour globally important populations of lion (Bauer et al., 2016), cheetah (Durant et al., 2017), and African wild dog (Woodroffe & Sillero-Zubiri, 2020), as well as regionally important populations of leopard, spotted hyaena, and striped hyaena (TAWIRI, 2009a). Nevertheless, until recently no empirical estimates of population abundance or density existed for these populations, with the only available estimates being based on expert opinion or extrapolations from known densities elsewhere (e.g. Mesochina et al., 2010; Riggio et al., 2013). Research by members of this project between 2017 and 2019 resulted in some of the first studies of large carnivore population status and ecology for the landscape (Searle et al., 2021a, 2021b; Strampelli et al., 2021; Strampelli et al., 2022a, 2022b, 2022c), providing valuable baseline information for future research, and a repeat camera trap survey in MBOMIPA WMA in 2022 suggested that the area’s lion population may be declining. Additional follow-up research is therefore required to continue investigating carnivore population trends, and equip PA management authorities in the landscape with up-to-date information that can inform effective conservation actions.

To assess the status and ecology of large carnivores and their prey and investigate the extent of human-carnivore conflict in two key landscapes in southern Tanzania, and share the findings of this research with stakeholders to enable evidence-based conservation.