Conservation Fencing in Western Serengeti Shows Benefits and Trade-Offs

A new study published in Ecology and Evolution finds that conservation fencing in the western Serengeti has reduced human–wildlife conflict and improved agricultural productivity, while also introducing new land-use challenges for local communities.

The study, led by Tanzanian researcher Michael Kimaro, partly supported through the Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem (RISE) program at the Grumeti Fund, evaluated the impacts of a 30-kilometer electric fence along the northern boundary of Ikorongo Game Reserve. The fence was installed to protect endangered black rhinos and reduce crop damage caused by elephants.

Using satellite data, field surveys, and community interviews, the research shows that the fence increased security in the nearby villages and allowed farmers to expand cultivation and increase yields. Community members also reported social benefits, including reduced time spent guarding fields and a shift by some individuals toward farming and small businesses. At the same time, the study identifies emerging trade-offs. Restricted illegal grazing inside the reserve has led some livestock keepers to move into nearby unfenced zones, while expansion of crop farming in the communal land has increased competition and tensions between farmers and pastoralists.

The authors conclude that conservation fencing can be an effective tool for reducing conflict and supporting livelihoods, but its design and implementation should account for broader social and ecological impacts across the landscape. The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Groningen, Grumeti Fund, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Colorado State University, and the University of Freiburg.

Article citation: Kimaro, M.H. et al. (2026). Ecology and Evolution, 16:e73674. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73674