Effectiveness of De-Snaring Strategies in Protecting Tanzania's Wildlife at Serengeti National Park

This study evaluates the effectiveness of de-snaring as an anti-poaching strategy in Serengeti National Park (SENAPA), focusing on poaching techniques, community perceptions, and operational challenges. The study involved 67 respondents, including SENAPA staff, former poachers, and village leaders, selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. Findings revealed that snaring is the most common poaching method, followed by shooting, trapping, and water poisoning, all threatening biodiversity. Community perceptions showed 59.7% believe poaching has declined over the past five years due to enhanced patrolling and de-snaring. Despite progress, challenges like limited resources, vast park coverage, and insufficient funding hinder effectiveness. Awareness of de-snaring efforts was high (74.6%), with 75% rating cooperation as excellent or good, though 25.4% were unaware of these initiatives. The study recommends strengthening community involvement through education, training, and participatory conservation programs. Increased government funding, stricter anti-poaching laws, and advanced surveillance technologies are essential. SENAPA should focus on capacity building, targeted resource allocation, and improved monitoring. Sustained, collaborative approaches are crucial to preserving Serengeti National Park’s ecological integrity.