Mrosso, Hillary ThomasKicheleri, Rose PeterKashaigili, Japhet JoelMunishi, PantaleoKadigi, Reuben Mpuya JosephMgeni, Charles PeterKimaro, Michael Honorati2022-10-172022-10-172022How to cite this paper: Mrosso, H.T., Ki- cheleri, R.P., Kashaigili, J.J., Munishi, P., Ka- digi, R.M.J., Mgeni, C.P. and Kimaro, M.H. (2022) Illegal Wildlife Trade: Trade Flows of Wildlife Products and Facilitation Me- thods in the Ruaha Landscape, Tanzania. Open Journal of Ecology , 12, 585-603. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2022.1290332162-19932162-1985http://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/4685Journal articleTanzania’s Ruaha landscape is prominent for its potential wildlife resources, which play a key role in sustaining the economy and livelihoods of the people. However, most of these resources are illegally obtained and traded in differ- ent places within and outside the Ruaha landscape. Due to its illegal nature, most of the important information regarding the trade is poorly documented. Therefore, the current study aimed first, to explore the origin and destina- tion of wildlife products; second, to assess the relationship between hunters and buyers or customers; third, to assess the means used to transport wildlife products; and lastly, to assess who influences people to engage in illegal hunt- ing and trade activities. In addition, we assess the materials used in the ex- change of wildlife products. Semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used to collect information from 123 respondents. Social network analysis was used to indicate the origin and destination of wildlife products. The findings show that 70% of wildlife products originate from the Ruaha National Park and MBOMIPA wildlife management areas, with the remaining 30% originating from villages. The majority of respondents (65%) reported transporting wildlife products by foot and bicycle as the primary modes of transportation. Suppliers of wildlife products are reported to have close and long-term relationships with their customers and traders, with most of whom being friends and relatives. We found most poachers to be influ- enced by their friends and relatives in terms making decision to engage in il- legal wildlife trade. In addition, crops like maize and rice were the most pop- ular products used to exchange with wildlife products in the Ruaha landscape. Therefore, in order to combat illegal trade in wildlife products at the local level, alternative income-generating activities need to be promoted accompa- nied by not only well-funded anti-poaching programmes but also more effec- tive surveillance plans. These should entail the use of advanced techniques and skills, such as wildlife forensics.enWildlifeProductsIllegal TradeRuaha LandscapeArticle