THE African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has officially handed over the Manyara Ranch of Monduli, to the Manyara Ranch Management Trust after two decades of transformative conservation and community development efforts in the conservancy.

Kaddu Sebunya, the AWF chief executive officer, said in remarks at a handover ceremony to the Monduli District Council here yesterday that the handover is a step forward in efforts to ensure the sustainable coexistence of wildlife and local communities in the area. 

The ranch essentially lies within the Oltukai and Silalei villages of Makuyuni ward of Monduli District, Arusha Region.

“Since taking over direct management of Manyara Ranch in 2013, AWF has worked to restore the critical wildlife corridor,” the statement affirmed, expecting that the conservation area, mapped within the Tarangire – Manyara ecosystem, will remain a thriving habitat for wildlife, including giraffes, lions and elephants, aside from running a sustainable livestock rearing venture.

 The conservancy was earlier a degraded cattle ranch, on the outskirts of the Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor, a natural connectivity route that links Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks. "Manyara ranch is an outstanding example of how conservation and community development can go hand in hand," he said, noting that AWF's partnership with local authorities and the communities have demonstrated that sustainable solutions are possible when systematic cooperation is initiated.

 The handover of the ranch marks a new chapter for conservation in the region and cements the successes of locally operated conservation initiatives, he said, elaborating that the ranch helps to maintain the ecological balance of the Maasai Steppe.

 One significant achievement is zero elephant poaching in the ranch since 2015, as zero tolerance of criminality was experienced in various conservation areas, officials noted. Oltukai village chairman Rudda Kilusi lauded the handover, saying the villagers are ready to cooperate with the new investors as long as their grazing rights are respected. 

The rank management praised AWF for its unique conservation model, which integrates sustainable livestock management with wildlife protection, enabling phenomenal success in maintaining the pristine environment. In addition to conservation efforts, AWF has made significant investments in community development like the relocation and renovation of the local primary school, handed over to the Monduli District Council last year.

The school now provides a safe and improved learning environment for over 1,000 pupils, with environmental stewardship included in the curriculum. Happiness Laizer, the district executive director, said that the ranch facility shows that when provided with opportunities, local communities can effectively conserve wildlife while also deriving due benefits.

Pastor Magingi, the AWF country coordinator, said the ranch was provided with management expertise for local stakeholders, creating inclusive decision-making processes. He said the project's success is a result of strong partnerships built over the years. We are confident that the ranch management trust and the district council will be able to maintain correct conservation and community development methods. 

The trust has just signed a tourism development and operation agreement valued at $117m with Sea & Bush Ltd, where the firm builds luxury tented lodges and conducts game viewing, walking and photographic safaris.