Abstract

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) remains one of the most enduring socio-ecological challenges in conservation landscapes across sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, communities residing adjacent to protected areas frequently experience crop damage, livestock depredation, property loss, and threats to human safety, often with limited institutional support and uneven benefit-sharing from conservation initiatives. This study examines the effectiveness of community-based human–wildlife conflict mitigation strategies in protected area border communities in northern Tanzania. Guided by a pragmatist research philosophy, the study adopts a mixed-methods case study design integrating household surveys (n = 60), key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings reveal that crop damage constitutes the most prevalent form of conflict, with communities relying predominantly on low-cost, locally available mitigation measures such as physical barriers, Mauritius thorn hedges, scaring and chasing, and chilli-based deterrents. Physical barriers and thorn hedges were perceived as the most effective strategies, while electric fencing despite its effectiveness remained largely inaccessible due to high installation and maintenance costs. The study concludes that while local communities demonstrate substantial adaptive capacity and innovation in mitigating HWC, the sustainability and effectiveness of these efforts are constrained by financial limitations, labour demands, ecological pressures, and weak institutional responsiveness. Strengthening collaborative governance, expanding conservation education, enhancing benefit-sharing mechanisms, and scaling affordable mitigation technologies are essential for fostering sustainable human–wildlife coexistence.