The Impact Of Human Activities On Wildlife In Kwakuchinja Migratory Corridor - Tarangire/Manyara Ecosystem (Tme), Northern Tanzania

BSTRACT

Human population growth in areas bordering protected areas is high and has become a serious threat to the management of wildlife all over Africa. Local communities around the protected areas conduct illegal activities which are destructive to habitats and threatens wildlife migratory corridor. Furthermore, there is a local extinction of five species of large mammals in the Kwakuchinja. This study therefore focused on assessment of impacts of human activities on wildlife in the Kwakuchinja migratory corridor in the TME, Northern Tanzania. Data were collected using transect walk, household questionnaires, key informants and secondary materials. Wildlife group size comparison data were analysed using Mann Whitney U- test while Pearson test was used to compare relationships between wildlife, livestock and human settlement numbers. Moreover, Chi-square test was used to compare relationship between wildlife status and the respondent’s time spent in the study area.The study found that wildlife migratory corridors had declined from five to three. Common wildebeest had a highest density (Area 450 square kilometers) while Thompon’s gazelle was the least. Wildlife trend from aerial survey data show a 50% reduction in numbers of large mammals in the ecosystem in 2000s compared to 1990s and land use changed to cultivation by 4.2% increase in the study area. Insignificant relationship between wildlife and human settlement numbers (r=0.714) was observed. These findings therefore suggest that human settlement has negative impact on wildlife numbers and distribution. Since wildlife and livestock share grazing and drinking areas, the study recommends use of an integrated land use plan, law enforcement and sustainable use of natural resources to safe guard Kwakuchinja wildlife corridor.