http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=65561



Flocks of cattle on rampage in Selous reserve
BY AISIA RWEYEMAMU
8th March 2014



Against the backdrop of perennial conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, a new scenario has emerged whereby herders with large numbers of cattle have reportedly invaded the Selous Game Reserve (SGR), threatening to eliminate native vegetation.

The invasion is also destroying the eco-system as the flocks graze in the protected area and swig water in wells specifically built for wild animals.

Inside the SGR at Matambwe at Kisaki Village, Morogoro, The Guardian conducted an interview with the Zonal Game Warden Msafiri Mashiku Kazara.

Kazara, a Wildlife Officer II, claimed that pastoralists encroached on the reserved areas where no one is allowed do carry out any activity. But the owners have grazed their animals in the reserve during night and at daybreak they brought them out to near their houses.

He said most of them first settled there as farmers and land was demarcated for them for farming activities but later on they acted as a bridge to invite herders.
“There is now big adverse impact to the reserved area as well as to wild animals, some of which have escaped from their natural habitat owing to ‘massive grazing,’ ” Kazara said.

The herders reportedly water their cattle in Mungeto River in competition with the wild animals that are now said to be displaced.

According to the wildlife officer, the presence of cattle in the area is a nuisance to potential investors in the SGR like Sable Mountan Lodge, with its owners expressing fear.
They said from the time of the herders’ invasion the number of wild animals that used to roam in surrounding areas had greatly diminished.

Sable Mountain Lodge camp manager Mbasha Halfan Mrisho told The Guardian that they had drilled water and created a dam specifically for wild animals but then the pastoralist arrived, ‘invaded’ the dam and started watering their cattle.

“We spent more than $10,000 to build the dam but are disappointed to see the herders bring their cattle here, forcing wild animals to disappear into other areas,” he said.
According to him the camp annually pays $10,000 to Kisaki village as tax, but because of the prevailing conditions the business might stop because it would be less profitable.

He said businesses thrived until 2010. At that time the tourists could enjoy viewing wild animals from their tents. The tourists also enjoyed the sounds of wild animals and not of cattle; which is what they didn’t expect.

Meanwhile, the local authorities had set up eight posters prohibiting business in the area. However, seven posters were removed by unknown people and cattle were seen grazing in different parts.

Mrisho said the cattle herders could feed their animals at a distance, of let us say, five kilometres from the SGR borders.

Act 21(2) states restriction to conduct any activities in the game and controlled areas. According to a special patrol over the area last August a number of herders were removed.

The official further claimed that after the suspension of the aborted Operation Tokomeza in January this year, the number of herders and their animals has greatly increased, even more than in the past.

The Guardian met Saita Kanei, chairman of the herders in the area. He said they live in Kisaki legally, but also admited that there are herders who had subsequently ‘invaded’ the area.

“We have told them leave the area in 14 days but they have simply ignored our notice,” he said, noting that the newcomers have created a sense of hatred towards the herder community.

Saita told this paper that there are members of the police who allegedly collaborate with the invaders, making the latter to defy the village laws.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

IMHO Set up snipers to dispatch a few cattle & the herders will look elsewhere.
Cattle seem to be a sign of "wealth", simply take away some of their "wealth".

Did they fly in?

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
Did they fly in?

Nope...... they walked in straight from the shearing sheds.

I have been told that when they drove the 500,000-3,000,000(depending on who you hear it from)cattle off the Usangu Flats that a large number moved in over by the Selous.

Don't know if that is part of the problem or not.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
Did they fly in?

Yep, in 'V' formation

I am confused. If in Tanzania there are "flocks" of cattle, wouldn't the people who tend them be called "flockers" instead of "herders"?

I've herd flock - all.

That happened once in Toufic's game zone in Burkina. He informed the gov that sent an army helo. Most of the fula herd was shot down. So far no fula has dared to invade again. The better solution is the harsh one.