Living Walls
Living Walls
Due to habitat loss and a decrease in their natural prey, large carnivores are living closer to humans than ever before. As a result, they often turn to the livestock of local herders for an easy meal. The death of a cow, goat, or sheep represents a serious loss for rural people, who may kill wild predators in retaliation. To reduce this type of human-wildlife conflict, APW partners with communities to build Living Walls—environmentally-friendly corrals that keep livestock safe.
Designed hand-in-hand with local people, Living Walls are in high demand across northern Tanzania. Local involvement is strong, with individual owners contributing 25 percent of the cost. APW’s Warriors for Wildlife team monitors Living Wall conditions to ensure that the structures remain effective over time.
A recent study shows that people who own Living Walls are more likely to be positive and optimistic about coexisting with large carnivores. To date, more than 1,000 Living Walls positively impact 13,500 people and keep more than 170,000 livestock safe every night. Living Walls have led to the planting of more than 117,000 living Commiphora trees.
Benefits of Living Walls
- Protect livestock from attack
- Prevent the retaliatory killing of wildlife
- Uplift livelihoods
- Improve local attitudes toward large carnivores
- Contribute to habitat preservation
- Demonstrate the value of shared knowledge
- Exhibit culturally appropriate solutions
Learn how a Living Wall has improved the life of a Maasai herder and his family.
Benefits of Living Walls
- Protect livestock from attack
- Prevent the retaliatory killing of wildlife
- Uplift livelihoods
- Improve local attitudes toward large carnivores
- Contribute to habitat preservation
- Demonstrate the value of shared knowledge
- Exhibit culturally appropriate solutions
Learn how a Living Wall has improved the life of a Maasai herder and his family.
BUILDING A LIVING WALL
Step One
Limbs of living Commiphora trees are sustainably harvested.
Step Three
Grounded by the furrow, chain-link fencing is wrapped around the trees.
Step Two
The trees are planted in a circle, and a furrow is dug around the perimeter.
Step Four
The chain-link fencing is secured to the trees, which continue to grow and add height to the wall.
BUILDING A LIVING WALL
Step One
Limbs of living Commiphora trees are sustainably harvested.
Step Two
The trees are planted in a circle, and a furrow is dug around the perimeter.
Step Three
Grounded by the furrow, chain-link fencing is wrapped around the trees.
Step Four
The chain-link fencing is secured to the trees, which continue to grow and add height to the wall.
“Our Living Walls are 99.9% successful in preventing attacks on livestock, which results in fewer retaliatory lion killings. No lions have been killed at homesteads where Living Walls are installed.”
DR. LALY LICHTENFELD, CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AFRICAN PEOPLE & WILDLIFE
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