Elephant population falls to 40,000

[RUCCI]

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

 

[MATHIAS KABYEMERA]

ameshindwa kuwalinda akiwa waziri mwenye dhamana, atawalinda akiwa Ikulu?

 

[Malcolm X5]

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

 

[Kamau Kingu]

Mzimu Wa Nyerere Huo,wamekosea Masharti

 

[Kamau Kingu]

Mzimu Wa Nyerere Huo,wamekosea Masharti