Elephant population falls to 40,000

Elephant population has fallen to 43,330, a drop of several thousand from the previous survey, figures released on Monday revealed.

Announcing the results of a new aerial survey, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu claimed the figures were a “mixed bag” with increases in some areas overshadowed by a dramatic fall in the Ruaha area from 20,000 in 2013 to 8,272 last year.

“We promise to take actions against poachers who are turning part of the country into a “slaughterhouse” so that we can rescue our elephants,” Nyalandu said.

He said successive waves of poaching have endangered whole populations of elephants and tarnished Tanzania’s image.

Nyalandu said although for a long time Ruaha national park has been accused of more poaching incidents, Rungwa has currently become the country’s poaching epicenter.

The survey team concluded that the migration is not a factor but major mortality rate but Nyalandu said some of the loss may be due not to poaching but to migration and announced a re-survey of the Ruaha-Rungwa area.

Nyalandu announced a number of measures to combat poaching including an increase in the number of rangers in the affected areas, new funding for anti-poaching efforts and a national law enforcement strategy to address the lack of successful prosecutions for poaching.

The Minister received pledges of support from the US and German Ambassadors and a donation of all-terrain vehicles, night-vision equipment and communications technology.

Source: PesaTimes

ameshindwa kuwalinda akiwa waziri mwenye dhamana, atawalinda akiwa Ikulu?

wao ndo vinara wa poachers,yaani watu wanaostahili hata kupigwa vitanzi ndo wanaoleta story za kuwa viongozi wa nchi,tanzania hii sijui tumekosea wapi aisee

Mzimu Wa Nyerere Huo,wamekosea Masharti

Mzimu Wa Nyerere Huo,wamekosea Masharti