From Selling Bushmeat to Poultry: How a Longido Community Found a Better Way to Live in Harmony with Wildlife

Posted on 30 January 2025

In a community where illegal wildlife trade was once the primary source of income for both men and women, the narrative has completely changed now. Thanks to the Land for Life project, which aims to help people benefit from nature while protecting it, the narrative has changed. More and more individuals are adopting sustainable practices and finding alternative sources of income.

Longido District, where humans coexist with wildlife, has seen significant changes over the past five years. WWF Tanzania, in collaboration with Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, launched efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in the area. The project revealed that many community members had been involved in hunting and selling bushmeat—men primarily hunted, while women sold the meat within their markets and communities.
For those involved, the fear of being arrested and jailed for their illegal activities created an atmosphere of secrecy. Many were reluctant to openly discuss their involvement in the bushmeat trade.
Among them was Jackline Swai, a Longido resident who had previously sold bushmeat, sourced from local hunters. She was hesitant to share the identities of the hunters from her community. However, Jackline's story changed after she was introduced to WWF Tanzania. Her group was provided with an incubator to support their poultry farming efforts, offering them a viable alternative to illegal wildlife trade while improving their economic status.
"I’ve used the incubator to hatch more than 400 chicks for my group and community. We charge $1 per 24 eggs from non-members to cover the cost of running the machine and the electricity," Jackline explains. Today, Jackline has more than 100 chickens, which have become her primary source of income. She sells eggs and chicken to support her family's needs.
The positive impacts are clear: wildlife, such as giraffes, elephants, zebras, and impalas, are now frequently spotted along the road, thanks to the reduction in illegal wildlife trade. "We are incredibly thankful to WWF Tanzania for their efforts in raising awareness and empowering our community with sustainable, environmentally friendly economic activities," Jackline says.

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