Nestled in Northern Tanzania, the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME) is part of the Greater Maasai Steppe landscape. The 35,000 km TME supports about 4,624 ±1,072 SE African elephants (Loxodonta africana), making it the fourth largest elephant stronghold in Tanzania The Tarangire Elephant Research Project (TEP) has been conducting demographic studies of elephants for over three decades, making it the second-longest elephant project in Africa. In April 2022, the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) took over the management of the TEP from the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST). TAWIRI's focus is to leverage the project's long-term data to derive strategic insights for mitigating human-elephant conflicts (HEC). The Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME) in the Northern landscape is a globally significant ecoregion, boasting the highest concentration of elephants in small areas. The commitment of wildlife conservationists and the allocation of resources to preserve this ecosystem, with its substantial elephant population, signifies a commendable dedication to conservation efforts. A significant portion of TEP's work is centered around the field monitoring of 29 herds within the northern Tarangire elephant subpopulation. TEP has conducted comprehensive research on elephant demographics, actively gathering data on breeding biology, foraging ecology, habitat utilization, and general distribution. The data collected from the field undergoes rigorous compilation to ensure that new data can be statistically compared with the previously gathered information. Furthermore, TEP has coordinated and facilitated various work plans, including community outreach and consultancy projects.

In order to develop effective conservation plans and strategies for elephants in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME), it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of their demographic structure and behaviour. While efforts have been made to protect elephant populations through general wildlife monitoring, it has become evident that sustainable conservation requires detailed studies of demographic composition and interactions with the environment. Although information on elephant distribution and abundance is generally accurate, there is a lack of knowledge regarding survivorship, reproductive rate, dispersal, and other demographic characteristics. Recognizing these needs, the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) has continued implementing the Tarangire Elephant Project to address the demand for such ecological information. Given the significant dietary requirements and space needs of elephants, it is important to understand how anthropogenic threats and ecological constraints impact their feeding, space use, and reproductive patterns. It is evident that long-term, field-based monitoring research is essential to provide the necessary ecological data, justifying the continuation of the Tarangire Elephant Project

iTo continue the long-term demographic study of the Tarangire elephants.