Meet our team

Zainabu Mlaponi

Field Programmes Manager - Selous-Nyerere

Zainabu is the Field Operations Manager for Lion Landscapes in the Selous-Nyerere landscape, Tanzania. She oversees the implementation of conservation programmes, manages field operations, supervises field teams, and works closely with local communities and stakeholders to promote effective wildlife conservation and sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife.

Zainabu joined Lion Landscapes in 2022 as a Field Assistant, supporting wildlife monitoring, research and community engagement activities. She later became Human-Wildlife Conflict Coordinator, where she led initiatives to reduce conflict between communities and wildlife through mitigation strategies, awareness programmes and field-based coordination. In 2024, she progressed to her current role as Field Operations Manager, overseeing field programme delivery and helping ensure effective, high-quality conservation implementation across the landscape.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from the Muslim University of Morogoro and has further strengthened her expertise through professional training in Project Management for Wildlife Conservation. Her work combines conservation management, project coordination, community engagement, and field leadership to support long-term conservation outcomes.

Growing up in Tanzania, Zainabu developed a deep appreciation for wildlife and the importance of conserving natural ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of communities that live alongside them. She is passionate about building strong partnerships and believes that lasting wildlife conservation depends on collaboration, trust, and shared benefits. Through her work, she is committed to advancing Lion Landscapes' mission of making large carnivore conservation valuable to people, both locally and globally.

When she’s not working, Zainabu enjoys spending her time watching movies and animation, camping and cooking.