Factors influencing community attitudes and engagement in wildlife conservation around Swagaswaga Game Reserve, Dodoma, Tanzania

Understanding local peoples’ conservation attitudes is crucial to achieve effective wildlife conservation. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing communities’ attitudes and participation in wildlife conservation around Swagaswaga game reserve (SGR). A household questionnaire survey of 150 respondents was randomly selected from Handa, Mangoroma and Serya villages between February and June 2024. Results showed that most respondents 88.67%, (n = 133) were aware of the SGR and 90.67%, (n = 136) of respondents had positive attitudes influenced by accrued benefits such as ecosystem goods and services 74.26%, (n = 101), social services 11.03%, (n = 15) and economic benefits 14.71%, (n = 20); (Kruskal Wallis test, H = 35.66, df = 2, P < 0.001). Crop damage by wild animals 77.33%, (n = 116) was the main challenge followed by livestock depredation 14%, (n = 21) and people injury 8.67%, (n = 13). The major factors that influence peoples’ attitudes were benefits associated with SGR, distance of households from SGR boundary, sex and occupation of respondents. The majority 72.67%, (n = 109) of respondents participated in different conservation related activities such as tree planting 46.79%, (n = 51), maintenance of protected area boundary (29.36%, n = 32) and ant-poaching activities 23.85%, (n = 26); (Kruskal Wallis test, H = 28.32, df = 2, P < 0.001). The study highlights those respondents who benefit directly from conservation activities tend to have more positive attitudes and are more likely to participate in conservation efforts. We recommend the active engagement of local communities in conservation efforts, supported by the enactment of inclusive policies that promote fair benefit sharing and effectively address human wildlife conflicts.