Tourists smuggle trophies by plane, says legislator

2007-06-15 09:16:54
By Guardian Reporter, Dodoma


Some foreign tourists undertaking sports hunting in Kigoma hunting blocks allegedly smuggle undocumented trophies using charter planes, Parliament heard yesterday.

The Member of Parliament for Muhambwe, Felix Kijiko, made the charges yesterday when he asked the government how much revenue it was collecting from tourist hunting.

`My question, actually, is targeted to help the ministry�there is reliable information that there are airstrips inside hunting blocks and foreign tourists are smuggling trophies by using charter planes,` said the MP.

He blamed the government, especially wardens accompanying tourists in hunting blocks, for laxity in supervising the hunting process.

According to the legislator, there is no maximum supervision of hunting activities, as tourists are being left too free to the extent of the relevant officials failing to document the actual number of animals gunned down.

In his response, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof Jumanne Maghembe, refuted the MP`s allegations. He said relevant officers had all the time ensured maximum supervision of the entire process.

`There is no chance for the government being unaware of the number of trophies transported outside the country as the legislator claims,` said Maghembe.

He said at all times, tourists practising sports hunting were accompanied by wardens or tourist officers, and records of all gunned down animals were appropriately documented.

SOURCE: Guardian

I didn't relize one could carry a AK47 and GUN DOWN the animials hunted.