Dailynews Reporter
Daily News; Tuesday,June 24, 2008 @00:02


872 stray animals killed in two years, House told

Wildlife authorities killed 872 stray animals in various parts of the country during the last two years, the National Assembly was told here yesterday. The Deputy Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, Mr Ezekiel Maige, said stray animals that were killed included 324 primates, 277 elephants and 271 lions.

Mr Maige said the animals had gone on rampage invading farms and villages where they destroyed crops and other property. The deputy minister was answering Mr John Lwanji (Manyoni West – CCM) who had wanted to know when Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) would be introduced in the country.

He said WMAs would soon be introduced in 46 districts. Mr Maige said the government has already set regulations to establish WMAs in 16 places in the country as pilot projects. The deputy minister also said that government offers 100,000/- compensation to a person whose farm had been destroyed by wild animals.

The destroyed farm must exceed one acre. . Mr Maige also said that hunting fees in the country were still low compared to other countries. He cited an example of hunting fee for 300 kilogramme buffalo was only 42,000/-, meaning 800/- per kilo.