Warriors for Wildlife

Programs

Our Warriors for Wildlife team provides rapid response to human-wildlife conflict events across fifty-five communities in northern Tanzania.

Using the ArcGIS Online suite of apps and tools, more than 100 Warriors report from the field on livestock attacks, large carnivore presence, and Living Wall requests. ArcGIS data collection applications transmit the data from a smartphone app to a cloud-based server in real time, allowing African People & Wildlife (APW) staff to quickly determine human-wildlife conflict hotspots and direct field staff to areas where tensions are highest.

Who Are Warriors for Wildlife?

Because Warriors for Wildlife were born and raised where they work in northern Tanzania, they understand the unique challenges faced by the local people. When a human-wildlife conflict event occurs, Warriors are often able to defuse the situation and prevent their fellow community members from retaliating against wild animals. They also work to change long-held negative perceptions about lions and other wildlife, offering solutions and guidance for a peaceful coexistence.

Responsibilities of Warriors for Wildlife

Defuse human-wildlife conflict events and educate local communities about the importance of conservation

Warriors for Wildlife defuse a potential human-wildlife conflict in Tanzania

Collect and analyze real-time data from the field

Monitor the presence of big cats so that community members can keep their livestock safe

Two Maasai warriors looking at the horizon with mapping tool

Locate lost livestock at pasture

Two Warriors for Wildlife using a GPS device after recovering livestock

I want to help people eliminate their fear of living with lions. I want them to understand that when lions are healthy, the ecosystem is in balance and the Maasai community is also healthy.

Elvis Kisimir, Human-Wildlife Conflict Program Officer