Local News
Arusha Times July 19, 2008

Longido elephants thrive as poachers lay down arms

By Glory Mhiliwa

Poaching incidences in the Longido forest reserve have dropped by about 90 percent, an officer has claimed.

A local researcher, Alfred Kikoti explained in Arusha last week that due to inhibited illegal hunting activities the number of wildlife in the Longido reserves has been increasing steadily for the last two years.

Mr. Kikoti who specializes in Elephant studies said of late the animal corridors in the wilderness have been placed under tight control as soon as they were identified. The regular monitoring as far as the researcher is concerned, has been keeping poachers away.

In addition to studying, identifying and safeguarding animal corridors and hideouts, the Longido wilderness is now home to a special center for Elephants’ research and animal monitoring activities.

The center has also earmarked sensitive locations for animal venturing a move that has also cleared away farmers who had previously invaded the forest reserves. Also removed from the vicinity are a number of human settlements and activities that previously threatened the untamed land.

“Longido wilderness is a location with various animal corridors joining the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and Arusha National Park to the Amboseli Game Park of Kenya through the West Kilimanjaro plains,†said Kikoti adding that the area is the largest and most important wildlife passage in East Africa.

“Apart from a few wildlife officers, the Longido corridor had remained an unknown, yet important animal passage in the North,†he added.

According to the researcher there are locations such as Kitendeni of Irkaswa which was recently discovered to be an important wildlife passage through recent research prompting the government to gazette the location as reserved area.

“And, our studies also go hand in hand with training sessions conducted in all local villages so as to sensitize the communities on the importance of wild animals and their moral obligation to preserve the environment and to protect the wildlife,†he maintained.