IUCN Tanzania brings locally embedded conservation implementation, stakeholder engagement and field-research capacity in Tanzania. For the proposed LIONS NEXT project in the Greater Mkomazi landscape, our contribution would support ecological field implementation, camera-trap deployment and monitoring, lion and prey data collection, livestock and human–carnivore interaction research, community engagement, field logistics, participatory scenario development, and translation of research findings into conservation management.

The concept builds on field experience in large-carnivore conservation and human–wildlife coexistence in Tanzania. We are particularly interested in collaborating with research institutions with complementary expertise in statistical ecology, spatial capture-recapture, predator–prey ecology, carnivore behaviour, wildlife–livestock interactions, socio-ecological systems and future-scenario modelling.

Keywords: large carnivores, human–wildlife coexistence, field ecology, stakeholder engagement.

Behavioral Biology
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Landscape ecology
Mammalogy
Population Biology

LIONS NEXT is a developing BiodivFuture research concept focused on the Greater Mkomazi landscape, Tanzania. The project will investigate whether and how interacting climate, land-use and human pressures are generating persistent novel ecological configurations by reshaping lion–prey–livestock–human relationships.

We propose to integrate landscape-change analysis, camera trapping, lion population estimation, spatial capture-recapture, predator–prey and behavioural ecology, wildlife–livestock interactions, community research, spatio-temporal/causal modelling and participatory future-scenario analysis.

IUCN Tanzania is seeking eligible research Partners from countries financially participating in BiodivFuture to jointly develop the scientific proposal. We are particularly interested in institutions with expertise in statistical ecology/SCR, large-carnivore and predator–prey ecology, wildlife–livestock coexistence, socio-ecological systems and future trajectories.

IUCN Tanzania is currently envisaged as the locally embedded Mkomazi implementation organisation, potentially participating through defined subcontracted activities from eligible funded Partner(s), subject to the applicable national Funding Organisation rules. Prospective Partners would jointly shape the research questions, methods, work packages and consortium structure.

novel ecosystems, african lion, large carnivores, predator-prey interactions, spatial capture-recapture, statistical ecology, human-wildlife coexistence, wildlife-livestock interactions, socio-ecological systems, mkomazi

Open to online consortium-development meetings and BiodivFuture networking opportunities. Specific upcoming conference attendance can be provided when confirmed.