Allocate special hunting zones to check species extinction, govt told

By Correspondent
31st May 2011

The government has been told to review the issuing of hunting licences and if necessary stake out special hunting zones in view of the decreasing number of wild animals in many blocks.

The advice was given by Lt (rtd) Lepilal ole Moleiment, at Hatari Lodge on Saturday while presenting animal engravings carved by students of schools found near Arusha National Park (ANAPA) in a move to motivate them to protect wildlife and preserve the environment.

With its headquarters at Momela village bordering the park, Hatari Lodge deals with livestock keepers, game wardens and environmental presevation.

The retired Lieutenant said that some hunters were misusing given licences to kill animals, including pregnant females and young males, a practice which is not only prohibited by law, but also resulted in extinction of species.

He mentioned some of the disappearing species as gazelle, ostrich, rhino, antelope, duma, impala, thompson’s, grant’s, pongo, dama and dorcas.

He advised the government to devise special hunting zones, so that it could easily check against the malpractice instead of the current system where hunters are allowed to practice in any block.

Besides, he suggested that the government should introduce a syllabus in schools on wildlife management and environmental preservation, so that students are sensitised on the importance of conserving wildlife and the environment for the benefit of the coming generations.

''Tanzania is naturally an endowed country—with many wildlife and geographical diversity. These, unlike commodities such as oil, do not need factories to manufacture them. Wildlife have one more advantage, if well guarded, they will ever last,'' Moleiment observed.

For his part, Hatari Lodge managing director Marlies Gabriel, said his company has been cooperating with villagers living around the park to protect animals as well as the environment.

He said the firm works to educate Tanzanians, particularly, the youth on environmental preservation for the benefit of future generations.

Anapa director Domician Njau said they have been working together with the villages surrounding the park to check the poachers who invade the park.

Established in 1960, the park no longer has tuskers or rhinos because of poaching, he said.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Smells like the "Kenya" mindset is alowly working its way into Tanz...

anybody agree / disagree?

JW

There IS need for reform of the Tanzania Hunting Industry. Conservation minded hunting does not equal anti-hunting...as is Kenya.

That is about the dumbest game conservation idea I have ever heard of in the context of Tanzanian hunting.

The government already requires that a game scout accompany any and all tourist hunters.

Needless to say, it's not the tourist hunters that are causing the problems.

Hence the point of my post above!

JW

Yup, it might be that kind of thing.

Although, as a general matter, I believe that one should not automatically ascribe to malice what might be explained by stupidity!

Don't forget, this guy retired as a lieutenant.

Tanzania has a number of problems to solve regarding this.

1. The sub-leasing of concessions to criminal elements of the hunting industry is a major threat. They shoot whatever they want, and if it is their last year they make sure they leave nothing alive behind.

2. Local hunters have to be controlled more effectively. They shoot an extraordinary amount of animals they are not supposed to.

Including you and females.

Of course, it always reflect badly on the good operators, and the hunting industry in general.

quote:

The government already requires that a game scout accompany any and all tourist hunters.

Anyone who has hunted Tanzania knows that its not the game scout that keeps things honest.

quote:

Local hunters have to be controlled more effectively. They shoot an extraordinary amount of animals they are not supposed to.

I hunt locally here and I'll be the first to admit that I have made mistakes. I have had to actively search out the law to make sure I am following it. I have also had to refuse to follow "game scout" orders on a number of occasions.

quote:

Originally posted by tanz2007:

quote:

The government already requires that a game scout accompany any and all tourist hunters.

Anyone who has hunted Tanzania knows that its not the game scout that keeps things honest.

True enough, but neither does anyone else representing the government.

My point is that more government involvement in fewer blocks will not solve the problem and is just plain dumb.

I agree 100%

I hunted Natron South a very few years ago....we could not figure out why the white beards were so spooky....until the Zebra poachers had a shootout the next day, less than 5 km from us, with the poacher control....that aside, until the government convinces tribal communities that something other than cows, goats and camels are wealth, hunting in some areas is doomed----NO habitat left!