Tanzania

Lions face violence from local pastoralists. 

Lion populations across Africa face many threats to their continued existence. Habitat loss, disease, and violence all threaten the future of these majestic predators. In the Maasai Steppe Heartland, lions are often targeted for death after killing livestock or scaring local pastoralists. As a result, lion numbers are decreasing, as humans and carnivores grow to be more at odds with each other. 

A failing cattle ranch endangers local wildlife. 

Originally established as a cattle ranch during Tanzania's colonial period, Manyara Ranch is now a 45,000-acre conservancy located in a critical wildlife corridor connecting Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.  

Manyara remains an operating ranch to this day, but in the past it was so poorly managed that it barely turned a profit. As a result, the surrounding lands were under threat of being sold and divided into small, unsustainable agriculture plots. 

The southern highlands of Tanzania are an invaluable ecosystem—but may also prove fertile grounds for agriculture.

This region features the largest and most important montane grassland in Tanzania, making it a critical ecosystem. At the same time, the government of Tanzania has targeted this area for development as part of an agricultural corridor that will help increase Tanzania’s economy and food security. 

A sustainable agricultural enterprise and proper zoning here, however, will help stabilize land use. 

A critical location for Africa’s top predators.

Across the continent, Africa’s large carnivores are facing an uncertain future. Lions, cheetahs and African wild dogs have all disappeared from 80 – 90 percent of their original range. Both the lion and the cheetah are now classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with as few as 23,000 and 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild respectively. While the African wild dog is Endangered, with merely 6,600 estimated adults remaining.

The Maasai School was dangerously dilapidated.

The school formerly located on 45,000-acre Manyara Ranch was dilapidated, having seen no physical maintenance or repair in over 20 years. Its buildings were shabby, lacking electricity and a proper water distribution system. The school was extremely overcrowded, with over 800 students enrolled in the 400-person capacity school.

Information accessibility is low in rural communities.

Though computers may be a part of everyday life for many students in Western countries, computers—and the opportunities they present—are rare in many parts of Africa. Those schools that do have computers tend to rely on older models. So rare is such access to technology that many people have little knowledge of how to use the computer and take advantage of basic word processing and spreadsheet software or the Internet.

Drastic measures must be taken to mitigate climate change in Africa. 

In Africa, achieving long-term conservation requires the often-competing demands of wildlife defense, pastoralism, agricultural industry, energy use, and forest protection. Nowhere is this truer than in Central Tanzania. And, with climate change predicted to impact Africa more than any other continent, it is imperative that we address these factors sooner rather than later. 

Poverty and conservation both are issues in Tanzania. 

Tanzania, like many parts of Africa, still struggles with poverty and issues of economic empowerment. Women often feel the burdens of poverty most acutely. With fewer economic opportunities and greater responsibilities at home, women are often left to struggle with the impossible burdens of poverty.

All of Africa’s great ape species are either endangered or critically endangered.

Africa is home to four of the world’s five great apes: the bonobo, chimpanzee, and two species of gorilla—the eastern and western. Unfortunately, all of these apes are facing extinction due to a number of threats, including habitat destruction and fragmentation, poaching, the risk of disease transfer from humans, and the pet trade.