Human pressures and habitat connectivity loss threaten wildlife survival: evidence from the Igando-Igawa Wildlife Corridor, Tanzania

Wildlife corridors are critical for maintaining ecological connectivity, enabling species movement, and sustaining biodiversity. Despite their ecological importance, corridors are facing escalating anthropogenic pressures, including agriculture, settlement expansion, livestock grazing, and charcoal production, which threaten their ecological functions and the long-term viability of wildlife populations. We assessed the impacts of human activities on wildlife habitat connectivity, distribution and abundance within the Igando-Igawa Wildlife Corridor linking Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park. Data were collected through household surveys ( n = 304), focus group discussions, key informant interviews and wildlife transect surveys (10 transects, each 2 km). We used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse socio-economic drivers for land-use change. While wildlife abundance and diversity were assessed through indirect signs (tracks, dung, vocal cues) and Simpson’s Diversity Index. We used Welch’s t-test to compare wildlife occurrence between disturbed and undisturbed habitats. Human population growth (97%), agriculture (94.4%) and settlement expansion (93.4%) were the primary drivers of habitat loss. Transect surveys recorded 57 wildlife signs, dominated by elephants (43.9%), followed by greater kudu (15.8%), duiker (12.3%), and hyena (12.3%). Simpson’s Diversity Index was 0.76, indicating notable species heterogeneity. Wildlife abundance was significantly lower in disturbed habitats than in undisturbed habitats (Welch’s t = 3.84, p = 0.001), underscoring the negative impact of anthropogenic activities on ecological connectivity. Despite increasing human pressures, the corridor remains ecologically functional. Therefore, we recommend conservation strategies that will balance and prioritise local livelihood and biodiversity conservation while maintaining the overall health of the landscape ecosystem.