WildAid Africa 63d ago

Across Tanzania, communities living alongside wildlife are finding new ways to protect nature while improving their livelihoods. At Randilen Wildlife Management Area, this model is in action. As a community-led conservation area, member villages have set aside land for wildlife and, in return, benefit from income from tourism. Samuel Saruni Mollel, an accountant at Randilen, plays a key role in ensuring these benefits reach the community. Born in Legoolwa village — one of the villages that make up the wildlife management area — his work helps manage the funds generated from tourism and returned through government systems. Representatives from each village come together to decide how these funds are used. From supporting children’s education to investing in healthcare, water infrastructure, and crop protection, the impact is tangible — improving lives while strengthening the incentive to protect wildlife. As communities begin to see the value of conservation, attitudes are shifting. Poaching declines, and stewardship grows stronger. Wildlife Management Areas like Randilen show what’s possible when conservation works for people as well as nature.