New statistics on elephants, rhino to be announced soon, says Nyalandu

By Felix Andrew

A herd of elephants in one of the country's national park lead to a water source. Far behind is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. (File photo)

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism will soon release new statistics of elephants and rhino found in the Selous Game Reserve after completion of a census recently.

 

This was said on Wednesday in Selous by Minister Lazaro Nyalandu soon after he received equipment for conservation in the reserve, which were donated by the embassies of Germany and the US.

 

He said at the moment, the government did not know exactly the total number of rhino or elephant found in the reserve.

“The census exercise has just been completed, we will release the statistics in coming few days,” said Nyalandu.

 

He also said the government has been taking various measures to protect the animals in various game reserves and national parks countrywide.

 

Citing, he said, the government plans to purchase more helicopters to protect animals against poaching.

“We will purchase seven helicopters that will be deployed in Selous and other National Park and game reserves to fight against poaching activities, he said.

 

According to him, another measure taken is the establishment of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), which are community owned and managed conservation areas.

 

In total, there are eight established WMAs surrounding the Selous, of which three are located to the South of the Reserve in the Niassa corridor.

 

USAID supports five of the eight WMAs in the region namely Ukutu, Ngarambe, Tapika, Liwale, Tunduru and  Mbarang’andu while  the remaining Chingole, Kimbanda and Kisungule are supported by German government. 

 

He thanked the US and German governments for their support towards reducing poaching activities and conservation in the Selous game reserve.

 

“We appreciate your support towards anti - poaching reduction and environmental conservation, our government is ready to make sure that these acts are minimised or alleviated,” he added.

For his part, the German ambassador in Tanzania Egon Kochanke, said his government would continue supporting conservation activities in the Reserve.

 

He appealed for other international organisations to help Tanzania in the fight against poaching and conservation.

 

Two years ago, the government again launched a countrywide anti-poaching campaign (Operation Tokomeza), which President Jakaya Kikwete suspended after establishing that it was conducted unethically -- focusing on civilians and their property – literally setting the poachers free to further decimate the elephants.

 

The president subsequently sacked four ministers for failing to effectively manage the infamous Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili - a government anti-poaching campaign which remains suspended indefinitely due to claims of abuses against civilians such as torture, extortion and murder.

 

Khamis Kagasheki, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism; David Mathayo, Livestock Development and Fisheries;  Emmanuel Nchimbi, Home Affairs; and and Shamsi Vuai Nahodha,  Defence and National Service were all fired following a day of contentious Bunge debates and increasing public outcry.