Assessment of factors moderating community attitudes towards wildlife tourism And conservation: a case of Ikona and Makao wildlife management areas
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess
community attitudes towards the impacts of
wildlife
tourism
and
conservation
interventions in Wildlife Management Areas
(WMAs) to community livelihoods. The
study used Ikona and Makao Wildlife
Management Areas as a case study. A cross-
sectional study was conducted from October
to November 2018 using a semi-structured
questionnaire. A total of 559 randomly
sampled respondents were interviewed. Data
were analysed using SPSS General Linear
Model-Univariate. The findings revealed
that Social Economic Status (SES) of the
respondents
significantly
influenced
respondents’ attitudes while gender and
origin of the respondents marginally
influenced their attitudes. Majority of the
respondents accept WMA in their villages
though are not satisfied with the benefits
accrued from WMA. Most of the
respondents mentioned crops damage and
livestock depredation as major factors
undermining their attitudes towards WMAs.
The study provides empirical evidence that
without local communities realizing direct
and tangible benefits, it will be difficult to
associate conservation and livelihood
improvement, a condition that undermines
wildlife
conservation.
The
study
recommends WMAs authorities to find
sustainable solutions to crops damage and
livestock depredation problem. The study
also recommends introduction of wildlife
conservation to schools to create and
increase awareness among youths from
childhood stage.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Community Attitudes, Wildlife tourism, Livelihood Capital, Wildlife Management Areas