Making Serengeti safe home for black rhinos

2008-12-21 11:42:57
By Robert Ochieng, back from Serengeti


Tanzania is losing a big number of wild animals owing to poaching activities that have delt a blow to tourism, the country`s leading foreign exchange earner which is also adversely affected by the current world economic crunch.

Natural Resources and Tourism minister Shamsa Mwangunga said this while on a tour of Singita Grumeti Reserve funded projects in Serengeti and Bunda districts in Mara Region, accompanied by journalists.

According to the minister, poaching has particularly dealt a serious blow to the black rhino breed, which has been hunted to near extinction.

She said: ``While efforts to fight these practices continue, the society needs to be aware that the welfare of our natural sanctuaries and resources is a matter of concerted efforts.``

However, the minister`s remark came in the wake of government plans to import 45 black rhinos from South Africa into the Serengeti Ecosystem to boost its population together with that of other equally rare types also hunted for their highly-prized trophies.

Mwangunga said: ``Government is collaborating with stakeholders to promote a sustainable commercial and environmental friendly tourism venture through public-private partnership programmes.``

In doing so, the minister said, the government would partner with private individuals or corporate organisations in managing, conserving and increasing wildlife population to the country\'s natural sanctuaries.
The minister, however, declined to divulge the precise number of the current black rhino population, saying making public such information would undermine anti-poaching efforts.

The programme, championed by Singita Grumeti Reserves and backed by a number of stakeholders, is aimed at eventually restoring the Serengeti black rhino population to its former level of the 1960s.

Singita Grumeti Reserves Managing Director Graham Ledger said: ``It was necessary to establish an anti poaching unit and after three years poaching has become virtually unknown ...``

The anti-poaching unit consisting of 112 scouts, all former poachers, are well equipped.

``Wildlife monitoring of the area over the last three to four years and on-going data collection has revealed a steady increase in resident game,`` said Ledger .

``This now provides year-round, excellent game-viewing experience for the guests of the Singita Grumeti lodges, and that the income from these lodges will ultimately ensure the long term sustainability of the reserve and its magnificent game,`` he added.

The unit has recently been critisised for assaulting villagers living near the borders of the reserve.

Ledger, however, said the claims were exaggerated, promising that his company would do whatever is necessary to ensure peaceful co-existence with the neighbouring communities.

SOURCE: Sunday Observer

Let's hope and pray that it works.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Making Serengeti safe home for black rhinos


The anti-poaching unit consisting of 112 scouts, all former poachers, are well equipped.

Tis to be hoped that they're also well enough paid as to not feel the need to revert to their old ways.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Shinzo:

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Making Serengeti safe home for black rhinos


The anti-poaching unit consisting of 112 scouts, all former poachers, are well equipped.

Tis to be hoped that they're also well enough paid as to not feel the need to revert to their old ways.
Steve

That is the problem of course. Having learned from the king of anti-poaching, Mr Roger Whittall, I have turned a fair number of poachers. Our success rate is about 25%, and that's with good pay. Still worth it though, as our successes inevitably transpire to be the very best scouts. I wouldn't bother with the rabble though, and the really competent poachers are few and far between and difficult to grab. 75% of Roger Whittall's gamescouts are reformed poachers and I would back them against any anti-poaching force anywhere.
Another interesting little observation is that, in my opinion, the renegades are the best gamescouts. The ant-social fellows who enjoy drinking and fighting always make the most arrests. One just has to keep them off the bottled spirit and encourage the fighting spirit!

Dave