Anti-poaching drive gets German support
President Jakaya Kikwete shakes hands with the Frankfurt Zoological Society’s director Africa Prorgamme, Mr Robert Muir, at the State House in Dar es salaam yesterday. FZS has donated 11 vehicles in support of the ongoing Tanzania’s anti-poaching efforts. The vehicles will be used in the Selous Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Maswa Game Reserve. PHOTO | STATE HOUSE
What you need to know:
The German based ZLS has been helping Tanzania in wildlife conservation for about half a century now. In the 1950s the society became involved in conservation efforts in the Serengeti, and began supporting development of national parks in Africa.
Dar es Salaam. Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has donated 11 vehicles to the government of Tanzania in support of the anti-poaching efforts.
The vehicles are destined for operations at Selous Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Maswa Game Reserve.
President Jakaya Kikwete received the vehicles yesterday at the State House, saying the country values FZS support and appreciates its generous contribution.
“We are currently faced with insufficient workforce, financial resources and anti-poaching equipment. Whatever way our friends and partners can assist us in this regard will be highly appreciated. We thank Frankfurt Zoological Society for being a leader in this regard,” said President Kikwete.
He said the donation has come at a time of serious need, and admitted that the challenge ahead is daunting, but there is no other choice except building the capacity of the wildlife division to enable it eliminate poaching at all levels.
The German based ZLS has been helping Tanzania in wildlife conservation for about half a century now. In the 1950s the society became involved in conservation efforts in the Serengeti, and began supporting development of national parks in Africa.
Between October and November last year, ZLS among other development partners, joined forces with the government and conducted a $160,000 (about Sh258 million) elephant census around Selous-Mikumi and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems, which revealed a sharp decline of jumbos in the two important strongholds for elephants in the world.
The handover ceremony was also attended by ZLS director Christ of Schenk, and Tanzania’s Natural Resources and Tourism minister Lazaro Nyalandu, among other dignitaries.
