The history of Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) dates back to 1963 when it was first established as the “Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute” (SWRI) with role of providing scientific information related to wildlife management for the Serengeti National Park. Later, the Institute was established by Act of Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania No. 4 of 1980, with the mandate to conduct, coordinate and oversee wildlife research in the United Republic of Tanzania. The name SWRI was changed to TAWIRI in 1999, by the Act of Parliament No.10 (CAP 260 RE 2002), to give its broader meaning and mandate on wildlife research throughout the country. The overall purpose of TAWIRI is to collate and disseminate timely and quality scientific information to guide the management and utilization of wildlife resources in the country. Therefore, the Institute has the mandatory role of advising the Government, Management Authorities and the general public on best ways of conserving the wildlife resources based on research findings. Through research, the Institute also has the mandate to promote and facilitate training of Tanzanians in wildlife science. In accordance with its mandate, the core functions of TAWIRI include coordination and management of all wildlife research in the country.

The headquarter of the Institute is located at Njiro, Arusha and comprises of five Research Centers in various locations namely; (i) Western Wildlife Research Centre (WWRC) in Kigoma Region, (ii) Kingupira Wildlife Research Centre (KWRC) in Selous Game Reserve (iii) Njiro Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC) in Njiro, in the city of Arusha, (iv) Serengeti Wildlife Research Centre (SWRC) in Serengeti National Park and (v) Southern highlands Wildlife Research Centre – SHWRC in Iringa Municipality. In addition to these centers, the Institute has five research stations namely, Endala (Manyara National Park), Lower Kihansi (Kilombero District), Magugu (Babati District), West Kilimanjaro (Hai District) and Tabora (Tabora Municipality).

Vision

To be a center of excellence in advising and providing scientific information on biodiversity conservation and management at national and international levels.

Mission

Conducting and coordinating wildlife research and share scientific information with stakeholders for sustainable biodiversity conservation.

TAWIRI observes the following core values in the provision of services to different stakeholders

1. Professionalism: Provide high-quality services based on best practices and experience; maintain the highest degree of expertise and ethical standards, building value-added relationships with customers and stakeholders to deliver quality goods and services,
2. Efficiency: Ensure timely implementation of plans and programs to achieve the desired objectives stipulated in the SP; to value and use public resources entrusted in an economic, efficient and effective manner,
3. Transparency: Undertake duties equitably, carefully, openly and responsible to stakeholders/customers
4. Confidentiality: Determined to treat customers and each other with trust, secrecy and honesty. As a public institution staff will not seek or accept gifts, favour or inducements in terms of financial or otherwise in the course of discharging duties,
5. Teamwork: Benefit from collective obligations by putting together diverse expertise and experiences to achieve success.

1. To promote the development, improvement and protection of the wildlife industry in the United Republic of Tanzania;
2.  To carry out, and promote the carrying out of, enquiries experiments and research in wildlife and in wildlife environment generally;
3.  To continue, develop and finalize all ongoing or projected wildlife research in the United Republic of Tanzania;
4.  To carry out research and investigation into various aspects of wildlife for the purpose of establishing, improving or developing modern methods or techniques of wildlife and environmental conservation and the management, collection and use of wildlife and wildlife products;
5.  To carry out research and investigation into wildlife diseases and their causes so as to develop way of preventing or controlling the occurrence of particular wildlife diseases or any category of them;
6. To coordinate all wildlife research which is carried out within the United Republic;
7.  To establish and operate a system of documentation and dissemination of the findings of inquiries, experiments and research carried out by or on behalf of the Institute, or other information on wildlife acquired by the Institute;
8. To undertake the collection, preparation, publication and distribution of statistics relating to wildlife, and promote and develop instruction and training in wildlife;
9. In co-operation with the Government or any persons, within or outside the United Republic, to promote or provide facilities for the instruction and training of local personnel for carrying out wildlife, and for the management of the wildlife industry;
10. To advise the Government, public institutions and other persons or bodies of persons engaged in the wildlife industry in the United Republic on the practical application of the findings of inquiries, experiments and research carried out by or on behalf of the Institute;
11. To assume responsibility for the control and management of the business and affairs of any Centre established or deemed to have been established by or under Act; and
12.  To do anything or enter into any transaction which, in the opinion of the Board, is necessary or desirable for the purposes of the better performance of the functions of the Institute under the Act.