Arusha: Trophy hunting interests are intensifying pressure on Maasai communities and the wildlife corridor in northern Tanzania. According to Deutsche Welle, well-funded conservation efforts are under scrutiny as cases of Maasai evictions rise. Beyond Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania, lies the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA), established in 2007 near Kilimanjaro National Park and the Kenyan border. Comprising 11 Maasai villages, this community-based system allocates 25-33% of tourism and hunting revenue to village members, a stark contrast to the 3% in game reserves. However, the model is showing signs of strain. Between 2023 and 2024, the charred remains of five "super tuskers," a rare elephant population, were found in the area. An anonymous source reported that these elephants were killed during trophy hunts authorized by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), breaking a long-standing informal agreement for safe elephant passage between Kenya and Tanzania. Kilombero North Safaris (KNS), one of the companies with hunting permits in the area, reportedly organized the safari leading to at least two elephant deaths. The company, owned by Akram Aziz, claims to practice "ethical hunting," though the killings raise questions about the priorities of Tanzania's WMA system. Professor Bram Bscher highlighted the paradox in conservation efforts, noting the increased number of protected areas and funding amid a worsening extinction crisis. Meanwhile, Maasai communities have faced disputes with state authorities over land use, with recent eviction orders sparking protests and destruction of the Enduimet WMA authority's local office. The introduction of WMAs in Tanzania was influenced by wildlife-sector reforms and supported by USAID, which provided technical support and training. Despite being presented as community-managed, the land remains under presidential trusteeship, limiting real decision-making power for the villages. Western funding for conservation in the region continues , though the European Commission suspended funding in 2024 due to human rights violations. WWF operates in the area with support from the SOKNOT-Unganisha project, aiming to protect wildlife corridors with funding from Germany's BMZ and other organizations. WWF's Novati Kessy emphasized the development of alternatives to hunting, promoting ecotourism and wildlife credits as direct benefits for communities. However, lawyer Joseph Oleshangay and other international actors criticize these initiatives for commodifying nature and failing to address structural pressures on Maasai land. The issue of land distribution remains central for the Maasai, who have traditionally moved their herds between Kenya and Tanzania. New borders, permits, and regulations create exclusion in a landscape increasingly viewed as an asset to be monetized. This reporting is supported by the Pulitzer Center and the Investigative Journalism for Europe fund (IJ4EU).