Research and Monitoring

In order to better understand local ecological systems, and to measure the effectiveness of our community and conservation work, we invest significantly in research and monitoring programs with the aim of maintaining long-term records of changes in key variables.

Our team monitors climate, soil carbon, hydrological variables, vegetation biomass and species composition, fire, alien species (livestock and plants), large mammal numbers, large and important bird species and human-wildlife conflict.  State-of-the-art GIS mapping software enables them to accurately map everything from wild fires and alien plant infestations to human-wildlife conflict and poaching incidents.  This data ensures that only the best evidence-based information guides our decision making.

Human-wildlife Conflict

Combining our own data on human-wildlife conflict monitoring programs with that of local game offices, we are deepening our understanding of the drivers, intensity and spatiotemporal distribution of human-wildlife conflict.  By better understanding the seasonality and geography of human-wildlife conflict, we are able to plan, advise and implement suitable mitigation measures.

Wildlife Monitoring

The Research and Monitoring Department has developed several projects aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of wildlife population dynamics including a focus on predator densities and territories and elephant behaviour and movements.

Camera Trap Survey
This holistic approach to wildlife monitoring is targeting medium and large mammals including cryptic and nocturnal species to better understand their seasonal distributions across the reserve and temporal changes in abundance. The Grumeti Fund is completing this work in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Lion Center.

Elephant Collaring
A two-pronged project aimed at building a long term data set to better understand elephant movements and distributions and as a management tool for preventing human-elephant conflict by allowing us to intervene and prevent elephants moving into farms and villages.

Key Species Monitoring
In collaboration with the Singita Guiding Department this projects looks largely at carnivore demographics and identification across the protected area.

Research Collaborations

To address the key management issues and challenges that we encounter in our work, Grumeti Fund is pioneering research collaborations with leading universities and research institutions to jointly conduct needs-based research at a postgraduate level.  Topics and themes for investigation, such as better understanding the precipitous decline in roan antelope numbers on the concessions, directly address known management needs and enhance our effectiveness.

Wildlife Re-Introduction Program

In collaboration with Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), the Grumeti Funds’ Research and Monitoring Department conducted extensive habitat and vegetation surveys to ascertain the suitability of the concessions for the reintroduction of the locally-extinct Greater Kudu. The department is also critical to the black rhino expansion program and any project involving wildlife reintroductions.

Key Accomplishments