Research, Monitoring and Learning
To ensure our work is evidence-led, we conduct research into applied conservation questions and rigorously monitor and evaluate the impact of all our activities. We also strengthen local capacity for scientific monitoring and collaborate with researchers from Tanzanian and international institutions.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
We monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of our programs to ensure we learn from our successes and challenges, allowing us to refine our approach. This includes routine tracking of key indicators to assess progress, alongside in-depth surveys that provide deeper insights into our impact. As well as installing departmental MEL dashboards, we are developing a public MEL dashboard, enabling you to follow our progress in real time - this will be available soon.
Elephant demography and ecology
Our long-term elephant research and monitoring program in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem investigates the lasting impacts of the 2010–2015 poaching crisis and tracks the ongoing recovery of the elephant population. Our findings have revealed how poaching has altered population structure and influenced behaviour, space use, and social dynamics. Currently, we are focused on monitoring births and survival rates within known family groups to gain a deeper understanding of how the population is recovering from the impacts of poaching.
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>200 elephant family groups identified
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>400 bulls identified
Human-elephant conflict
We conduct long-term monitoring of human-elephant interactions to help identify seasonal and temporal trends as well as spatial predictors of elephant crop damage risk.
We have also field tested numerous methods to protect crops from elephant damage, including beehive fences, smelly repellent, solar-powered strobe lights, and metal strip fences. We also study how our different Coexistence and Livelihood interventions impact community attitudes toward elephants.
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6 different elephant deterrent methods trialled
Monitoring wildlife corridors
The Nyerere-Udzungwa corridor provides a unique case study for assessing the impact of corridor restoration on connectivity and human-elephant conflict. Via camera traps, we are monitoring how elephants and other wildlife use the corridor. Our long-term monitoring of elephant crop damage incidents will help us evaluate how crop damage risk changes following corridor restoration.
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42 camera trap stations monitoring wildlife in the Nyerere-Selous-Udzungwa corridor
Building capacity
We support Tanzanian master's students to undertake applied conservation research projects. Students receive mentoring and skills training throughout their research journey, from study design to data collection, analysis, and results dissemination.
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4 Tanzanian Master’s students supported
Research collaborations
We collaborate with students and researchers on discrete, co-designed projects. We have collaborated with researchers from the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, the University of Stirling, the University of Oxford, Bangor University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Leeds, the University of Kent, and Colorado State University.
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5 Master’s dissertations supported
