Tanzania: Dramatic Decline of Elephants in Selous Game Reserve; Minister Kagasheki Resigns Suddenly


January 2014

By Dr. Rolf D. Baldus, Hunting Report Correspondent


Editor's Note: Literally as we went to press with this issue of The Hunting Report, we received extremely disturbing news from Dr. Rolf D. Baldus on breaking developments in Tanzania. Baldus was coordinator of the "Selous Conservation Programme" from 1987 to 1993 and a government advisor on wildlife and community-based conservation in Tanzania between 1998 and 2006. He is currently Advisor to the President of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) and occasional correspondent for The Hunting Report. For more information on the Selous, visit Baldus' website at www.wildlife-baldus.com.

The elephant population in one of Africa's most important elephant ranges, the 50,000-square-kilometer Selous Game Reserve in Southern Tanzania, is down to an estimated 13,000 animals. This figure is the result of an aerial survey conducted this past October. Apart from Tanzanian experts, a number of NGOs and international specialists were involved in the survey, and we can assume that this is an objective result. In 2005 the figure from similar counts stood at 65,000 to 70,000 elephants, and the population was increasing.

The lowest figure ever recorded before was less than 30,000 elephants in 1991. Thereafter a Tanzanian-German project, called the "Selous Conservation Programme," rehabilitated the Selous infrastructure and management, and poaching was reduced from approximately 5,000 animals killed per year to fewer than 100. One reason behind the success was a so-called "retention scheme," allowing the reserve's administration to keep half of all income for management. The income in the Selous was, and still is, mainly from hunting. The Selous Conservation Programme ended in 2003 and some years later the government terminated the retention scheme despite an existing agreement with the German Government. The result of this decision is seen today.

Such counts are notoriously difficult to interpret. Aerial surveys of the Selous in recent years already indicated declines, but figures were never published, and there were doubts about the quality of the counts. More important than an absolute number is the trend shown by consecutive counts. The very high figure of poached elephants indicated by the survey results do not seem to correlate with a similarly high "carcass ratio." The carcasses of poached elephants remain visible for several years, and a survey must show a comparably high figure. Local hunters and other observers have warned that the survey figure is doubtful. In any case there was considerable poaching, and it must be assumed now that the population is at an historic low due to that and to inefficient management in recent years. Whatever the true figure is, there is an urgent need for a vigorous anti-poaching campaign and, once again, a rehabilitation of the reserve's structures and management. Anti-hunting groups undoubtedly will use the present figure and demand an end to elephant hunting. This was the case during the poaching crisis in the late 1980s. However, at that time it was decided to continue the selective hunting of elephants in order to finance the rehabilitation of the reserve. This is undoubtedly the right strategy at the present moment too. Without hunting, the Selous cannot survive.

Germany will come to the rescue of the Selous once again. Major projects are in the pipeline and preparations ongoing. The ecosystem is still intact, and provided that proper management can be introduced again, the recovery of the elephant population is only a matter of time. This was proven once, and the former project can be used as a blueprint. However, if nothing is done against the existing corruption, which is one of the major drivers of poaching in the country, there will be no success. The names of those involved with the poachers are known. What is lacking is the political stamina to take action.

Informed sources in Tanzania connect the poaching of elephants in the country with the increasing presence of Chinese nationals. A recent report authored by the Tanzania Elephant Protection Society said rising economic relations between China and Tanzania fuel elephant killings, and call for proper government intervention. Several uncovered hauls of ivory seem to verify the Chinese connection. On November 2nd, for example, about 706 pieces of ivory, weighing more than 1.8 tons and representing more than 200 tuskers killed, were found in Dar es Salaam at the residence of Chinese nationals.

On direct orders by the President of Tanzania a countrywide anti-poaching operation was started in October. The so-called "Operation Tokomeza" (wipe out) was terminated, however, after human rights violations, including homicide, rape and humiliation mainly inflicted by the army, became public. Victims were semi-nomadic pastoralists who illegally but habitually use national parks and reserves for grazing. On December 20th four cabinet ministers, including Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, had to resign. The systematic violation of human rights was substantiated by a report, prepared under the chairmanship of James Lembeli, MP. Lembeli is the former PR chief of the "Tanzanian National Parks" organization and is known for his pro-conservation stand. It must be assumed that the allegations are genuine. Kagasheki assumed the political responsibility for misdoings of the army, for which he was not responsible. In any case, this development is extremely threatening for conservation in Tanzania, as there are strong political and business forces in Parliament and elsewhere that are either involved in local poaching or protect it.

Operation Tokomeza was criticized at an early stage, alleging its focus on pastoralists was misguided as it spared the VIPs and political heavyweights actually masterminding the poaching. It cannot be ruled out that the ill-fated operation was purposely misdirected by some important god-fathers of poaching. Minister Kagasheki, who had acquired an extremely good reputation for determination and professionalism since he took office, might have been caught in a trap purposely prepared for him and those who want to combat the rampant poaching.

Tanzania has more than a quarter of its land under protective status, including hunting reserves. Conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources increasingly conflicts with exploration and infrastructural projects. A small portion of the Selous, for example, was de-gazetted in order to allow uranium mining. Presently a major dam is being prepared at Stiegler's Gorge on the Rufiji River. This project will completely change the heartland of the reserve, which is a recognized World Heritage Site. Regrettably, the planned aerial survey of the neighboring Niassa National Reserve and the Quirimbas National Park in Mozambique was canceled as a result of delays in securing the necessary aviation gasoline. According to reliable sources, elephant poaching in these protected areas is "out of control". - Dr. Rolf D. Baldus

quote:

elephant poaching in these protected areas is "out of control". - Dr. Rolf D. Baldus

He is absolutely RIGHT!

This year, there was a joint operation between the game department, police department and the army.

My impression it was done for public consumption only, and very little use would come out of it.

Sad but true. I spent over 4 months in a concession last year and didn't see more than 5 elephants the whole time. Plenty of skulls tho.

One Ph told me he thinks some of the game scouts are involved. They know where the eles are while working in the Selous and other locations.
Hard to believe? It is more than plausible.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

elephant poaching in these protected areas is "out of control". - Dr. Rolf D. Baldus

He is absolutely RIGHT!

This year, there was a joint operation between the game department, police department and the army.

My impression it was done for public consumption only, and very little use would come out of it.

This is incredibly sad and troubling to say the least. I've heard numbers as high as 80 per day during the 2012 off season in the Selous. I haven't had an update on this year's numbers, but would assume it hasn't gotten any better. It's getting very bad in some areas of the Niassa in Mozambique as well, which is horrible because they've got some of the best ivory left in the world and one of the last places where 100 lb ivory realistically exists.

My question is - What can we, as hunters, do to get poaching under control? We all talk about it all the time, but these numbers show that not much is working. If Saeed's impression is correct, which I and likely most everyone else on this forum agree with, then the Gov't isn't doing anything that will cause any real decrease in poaching activity. I know anti poaching fees are added on with most safari companies, but (and correct me if I'm wrong here) that may just be to fund the government scouts. Should we beef these fees up? Hire year round private teams, preferably brought in from different countries so they don't know/have connections with the poachers they will catch? Would shoot on sight be a good deterrent, or cause further problems with the well connected poaching groups?

A good example is Derek Littleton's LUWIRE concession in the Niassa**. Derek has a year round anti-poaching team that is funded through money generated by hunting and he reported 5 elephant being poached this year. Compare that to literally hundreds in other concessions, I think he's doing a great job. The biggest issue he sees is that as soon as the elephant cross his border, he has no control over what the poachers in those areas do. If the neighboring concessions could adopt Derek's system, it would prevent the animals that leave his area from getting shot as soon as the cross the border. Obviously having guys on staff year round that can effectively patrol an area roughly 1.5 times larger than Rhode Island isn't going to be cheap, so hunters would likely have to spend 5-10% more on a safari. The BVC is another incredible example of anti poaching efforts with what they're doing with the Rhino's, but having a perimeter fence, LOTS of financial backing and a good road system helps them tremendously.

Thoughts? It seems fairly obvious that a decrease in poaching due to money invested directly from regulated hunting would be some pretty strong material to keep hunting open in areas considering a shut down. Peer reviewed articles could come from this, which would be an incredibly important tool for us as hunters.

Greg


**I'm aware many other operators have year round anti-poaching teams that do incredible jobs curtailing poaching within their concessions. I am only only using LUWIRE and the Bubye Valley Conservancy as examples.

Hi Greg,

I do not think any of us hunting in Africa would object to a anti-poaching tax or fund or whatever you would like to call it built in or added on to our safari. I believe the trick would be how would you know if the money was being used for the intended purpose? Lots of folks may tell you ,"yeah this money is used for anti poaching year round", but how do we know? Pay it to the government? We all know how that goes.

I'm game, tell how to do it!

quote:

It's getting very bad in some areas of the Niassa in Mozambique as well,

Dr. Begg has told me that there are so many ele carcasses to eat in the Niassa...that it has artificially elevated the lion population.

quote:

Originally posted by Greg Brownlee:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
[QUOTE]elephant poaching in these protected areas is "out of control". - Dr. Rolf D. Baldus

He is absolutely RIGHT!

This year, there was a joint operation between the game department, police department and the army.

My impression it was done for public consumption only, and very little use would come out of it.

This is incredibly sad and troubling to say the least. I've heard numbers as high as 80 per day during the 2012 off season in the Selous. I haven't had an update on this year's numbers, but would assume it hasn't gotten any better. It's getting very bad in some areas of the Niassa in Mozambique as well, which is horrible because they've got some of the best ivory left in the world and one of the last places where 100 lb ivory realistically exists.

My question is - What can we, as hunters, do to get poaching under control? We all talk about it all the time, but these numbers show that not much is working. If Saeed's impression is correct, which I and likely most everyone else on this forum agree with, then the Gov't isn't doing anything that will cause any real decrease in poaching activity. I know anti poaching fees are added on with most safari companies, but (and correct me if I'm wrong here) that may just be to fund the government scouts. Should we beef these fees up? Hire year round private teams, preferably brought in from different countries so they don't know/have connections with the poachers they will catch? Would shoot on sight be a good deterrent, or cause further problems with the well connected poaching groups?

A good example is Derek Littleton's LUWIRE concession in the Niassa**. Derek has a year round anti-poaching team that is funded through money generated by hunting and he reported 5 elephant being poached this year. Compare that to literally hundreds in other concessions, I think he's doing a great job. The biggest issue he sees is that as soon as the elephant cross his border, he has no control over what the poachers in those areas do. If the neighboring concessions could adopt Derek's system, it would prevent the animals that leave his area from getting shot as soon as the cross the border. Obviously having guys on staff year round that can effectively patrol an area roughly 1.5 times larger than Rhode Island isn't going to be cheap, so hunters would likely have to spend 5-10% more on a safari. The BVC is another incredible example of anti poaching efforts with what they're doing with the Rhino's, but having a perimeter fence, LOTS of financial backing and a good road system helps them tremendously.

Thoughts? It seems fairly obvious that a decrease in poaching due to money invested directly from regulated hunting would be some pretty strong material to keep hunting open in areas considering a shut down. Peer reviewed articles could come from this, which would be an incredibly important tool for us as hunters.

Greg


**I'm aware many other operators have year round anti-poaching teams that do incredible jobs curtailing poaching within their concessions. I am only only using LUWIRE and the Bubye Valley Conservancy as examples.

Greg

you are right in all your assumptions but the problem is that Luwire belongs to a very rich Arab that virtually spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in anti poaching and IMO he is not very concerned if his operation is profitable or not ( ask Derek what is the amount spent on AP each year and you will be amazed ! ) and sure BVC is spending the same or more.
This is not possible for the normal operators i am sure.
the biggest problem in Moz is that ''law '' is protecting the poachers and if one operator gets one , better take well care of him ' otherwise it will be the operator who gets in troubles.
allowance to shoot those bastards and part of the problem is solved thats what operators need !

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Hi Greg,

I do not think any of us hunting in Africa would object to a anti-poaching tax or fund or whatever you would like to call it built in or added on to our safari. I believe the trick would be how would you know if the money was being used for the intended purpose? Lots of folks may tell you ,"yeah this money is used for anti poaching year round", but how do we know? Pay it to the government? We all know how that goes.

I'm game, tell how to do it!

I agree, I think hunters would support it but tracking progress vs. failure would have to be on the honor system, so the indi. That's why I believe that hiring foreign anti-poaching teams would be the best way to keep guys accountable. These could be guys simply from another neighboring country, I just think it's necessary to keep the anti-poaching teams from knowing the poachers and letting them get away with it.

An areal survey on a regular basis done as frequently as could be afforded could keep track of elephant carcasses, and a couple of ground teams patrolling different areas of the concession constantly throughout the year. There would have to be serious money put into road systems so the teams could get places quickly. Again, it'll be expensive. How expensive? I don't know, I'm sure there are others who could give a more accurate estimation of the cost. Lots to talk about and figure out, but there are enough people who have experience in this field who could give some valuable insight into how to make this work.

From what I have seen and heard, Andrew Baldry does a great job with anti-poaching on his Royal Kafue project, but it's a smaller sized property than most of the large concessions so the cost would much less than you'd incur in a million acre area. Still, maybe his model could be amended to fit larger concessions as well? Something maybe some of us can discuss at the conventions?

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

It's getting very bad in some areas of the Niassa in Mozambique as well,

Dr. Begg has told me that there are so many ele carcasses to eat in the Niassa...that it has artificially elevated the lion population.

Interesting, but that definitely makes sense. One could assume that as soon as the elephant get poached out, the other game is going to suffer tremendously because of an overabundance of predators. More of a reason to stop the poaching now before the predator/prey balance gets out of whack.

It is not just elephants.

The meat poachers are in full swing in the Selous, and the game department is not doing anything to stop them.

We had some hippos killed a couple of miles from our camp.

There is no punishment, and I suspect there is a lot of collusion going on too.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201312300161.html


Tanzania: New SOS After 60 Tuskers Killed
BY PIUS RUGONZIBWA, 30 DECEMBER 2013



SIXTY elephants have been killed in less than two months after the controversial 'Operation Tokomeza' was suspended last month and the government plans to seek international intervention to check poaching in the country.

Deputy Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Lazaro Nyalandu revealed to reporters in Dar es Salaam on Sunday that the massive and wanton killing of elephants are reported shortly after the Parliament reacted against the operation.

"We have come across new records where 60 elephants have been killed from November 1 to date, compared to the entire 'Operation Tokomeza' period in which only two elephants were killed," he reported.

Following the resumption of killings and other acts of sabotage targeting the country's natural resource wealth, Mr Nyalandu announced several measures, including seeking international interventions, which will involve organs such as the International Police, Interpol.

According to the deputy minister, other international partners to be approached include the European Union (EU) and some Asian countries where elephant tusks and other resources are suspected to be smuggled to.

He said the government was also in the final stages of seeking expertise of some international systems that are recognised countrywide in combating international crimes like drug smuggling.

Announcing local strategies in the absence of 'Operation Tokomeza,' which has been temporally halted, Mr Nyalandu said a facebook page has been designed for regular and timely dissemination of information and tip-offs on poaching acted.

This will be followed by the establishment of a twitter account for the same purpose in the near future. "We are also dispatching more officers from the headquarters to the game reserves as well as seeking more funds so that more forest rangers and game rangers are employed to reinforce operations," he pointed out.

Apart from reinforcing the available workforce, the deputy minister cautioned the staff to abide by regulations and code of conduct governing their operations, including observing human rights to the maximum when dealing with offenders.

He mentioned areas recently reported to have been invaded with poachers as the reserve forests of Selous, Rungwa, Burigi, Katavi and Ngorongoro.

There was also an incident in which a group of 80 poachers ambushed staff at the Mkungunero forest reserve in Kondoa District. Other criminal incidents during the period also cost the life of one game ranger, Ramadhani Magengere, leaving his colleague Yahya Ramadhani badly injured, said the deputy minister.

He noted that the recent incidents in Dodoma, which forced Amb. Khamis Kagasheki to resign from his post as Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, have not subsided, with poachers still wreaking havoc to natural resources in the country.

I haven't hunted the Selous since 2009 but back then we saw elephants every day. Very sad to hear this...

anyone else notice the 2 most common denominators in elephant poaching in Africa- increasing numbers of Chinese and local corruption??? the 2 are always hand in hand- and impossible to stop. money is the ONLY thing in Africa that matters and the Chinese have plenty of it- MUCH more so than any hunter financed( but not government backed due to baksheesh) anti poaching measures. a bleak picture, but realistic considering the vast amounts of money involved. China is rapidly buying Africa and it's resources, 1 country at a time.

Curious if Roland (Late Bloomer) has made any progress in his passionate statement about helping to stop the elephant poaching?

Any movement starts somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
anyone else notice the 2 most common denominators in elephant poaching in Africa- increasing numbers of Chinese and local corruption??? the 2 are always hand in hand- and impossible to stop. money is the ONLY thing in Africa that matters and the Chinese have plenty of it- MUCH more so than any hunter financed( but not government backed due to baksheesh) anti poaching measures. a bleak picture, but realistic considering the vast amounts of money involved. China is rapidly buying Africa and it's resources, 1 country at a time.

Local corruption will disappear before Chinese money dries up. Chinese money is not drying up anytime in next hundred years. So in all reality have to deal with both these issues. The future is bleak.

The only future for african wildlife in my opinion is intensive commercialization. Hunting being but one part of it. Tough to do for long lived and slow maturing animals like elephants.

Just sad.

Mike

While I was in Tanz in October, a shoot on sight order went out. That would help.

The only chance we have to stop the demise of the African elephant is to legalize the trade in ivory. All the money in the world poured into anti-poaching is not going to work as long as the demand is there. Its economics 101. Protectionism as a wildlife conservation policy has failed dismally. It is time to take a new approach and that is controlled utilization. Trying to turn the ship, however, is going to be next to impossible.

quote:

Originally posted by Zig Mackintosh:
The only chance we have to stop the demise of the African elephant is to legalize the trade in ivory. All the money in the world poured into anti-poaching is not going to work as long as the demand is there. Its economics 101. Protectionism as a wildlife conservation policy has failed dismally. It is time to take a new approach and that is controlled utilization. Trying to turn the ship, however, is going to be next to impossible.

You mean to steal the thunder from all the idiots, from USFW to Leaky and his cohorts, who like to burn it to show their utter stupidity to the world at large?

Any conservationist who dares to campaign for the legalization of the ivory trade is going to be committing public suicide.

Joe public is far too stupid to understand this logic.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
anyone else notice the 2 most common denominators in elephant poaching in Africa- increasing numbers of Chinese and local corruption??? the 2 are always hand in hand- and impossible to stop. money is the ONLY thing in Africa that matters and the Chinese have plenty of it- MUCH more so than any hunter financed( but not government backed due to baksheesh) anti poaching measures. a bleak picture, but realistic considering the vast amounts of money involved. China is rapidly buying Africa and it's resources, 1 country at a time.

Yes, you are correct. imo elephant poaching is at all time high, and the Chinese are the biggest culprets!! Each year seems like I see less elephants, but more & more Chinese in Dar! In Tanzania they do a lot of projects (like building roads, etc) and offer cash for ivory. The Africans obtain the ivory for them by any available means: gun, snare, and now putting out poisoned pumpkins & watermelons for tembo to eat; to die a horrible death.
They are raping Tanzania for valuable exotic timber & minerals as well. From what I hear, rare lumber is smuggled out on ships to China the same way ivory is.
Terrible situation!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Curious if Roland (Late Bloomer) has made any progress in his passionate statement about helping to stop the elephant poaching?

Any movement starts somewhere.

Hello Steve,

Unfortunately...my efforts to date have been fruitless!!!

I am terribly frustrated with this and I waiver back and forth in what should be my next step!!!

The problem is HUGE and multi-faceted as you know...However, I need to focus on one facet of the problem and build upon that and develop a plan...I need HELP!!!

And my time is now being stretched thin because we're now creating a new website for travel and vacation custom enhanced prints...besides what I'm already offering our hunters too...on another web page on my website.

Nevertheless, if I can regularly donate funds to someone who is actually doing something for this great cause please PM me!!!

Roland

Wow thing change.

In 2010 i think i saw more elephants than Cape Buffalo.

We stumbled into more elephants while looking for Cape buffalo and had some stalks busted by elephants moving through.

Every night after dark the elephants would come in and drink at the lake by the camp. We would
turn on our torches and look at them.

One day a group of 5 elephants paces us at about 30 yards off to our right while we were trailing some buffalo.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Hi Greg,

I do not think any of us hunting in Africa would object to a anti-poaching tax or fund or whatever you would like to call it built in or added on to our safari. I believe the trick would be how would you know if the money was being used for the intended purpose? Lots of folks may tell you ,"yeah this money is used for anti poaching year round", but how do we know? Pay it to the government? We all know how that goes.

I'm game, tell how to do it!

Greetings impala#03,

Although their ongoing efforts are focused within Zimbabwe's Lower Zambezi Valley (vs. Tanzania), I encourage you to visit The Tashinga Initiative Foundation's Facebook. The Tashinga Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)3 NGO and they are actively supporting anti-poaching initiatives within the Lower Zambezi Valley. Their anti-poaching initiatives (both past and ongoing initiatives) are highlighted within their Facebook.

quote:

Originally posted by TANZ-PH:

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
anyone else notice the 2 most common denominators in elephant poaching in Africa- increasing numbers of Chinese and local corruption??? the 2 are always hand in hand- and impossible to stop. money is the ONLY thing in Africa that matters and the Chinese have plenty of it- MUCH more so than any hunter financed( but not government backed due to baksheesh) anti poaching measures. a bleak picture, but realistic considering the vast amounts of money involved. China is rapidly buying Africa and it's resources, 1 country at a time.

Yes, you are correct. imo elephant poaching is at all time high, and the Chinese are the biggest culprets!! Each year seems like I see less elephants, but more & more Chinese in Dar! In Tanzania they do a lot of projects (like building roads, etc) and offer cash for ivory. The Africans obtain the ivory for them by any available means: gun, snare, and now putting out poisoned pumpkins & watermelons for tembo to eat; to die a horrible death.
They are raping Tanzania for valuable exotic timber & minerals as well. From what I hear, rare lumber is smuggled out on ships to China the same way ivory is.
Terrible situation!!!

i suppose it is good to hear my evaluation validated by a professional on the ground but oh how i wish it wasn't so....and the really discouraging thing is it is happening in every single country in central and southern Africa. when you drive down the main street in Katima Mullilo( a very small town in the Caprivi) and about 1/4 of the small stores have Chinese names, you just know things are going from bad to worse.

One hardly EVER sees any elephants in the Selous now.

Except as dead

Seems like small drones with some loiter time would enable a relatively few operators to keep a pretty good watch over a large area, and follow poachers (or ivory) at least partway up the chain.

Hellfire missiles would be nice, but a much smaller craft can be used for just imaging, and they can work day or night.

The SAME THING WILL HAPPEN NOW IN Botswana AS WELL AS Zambia in the GMA also we have lost close to A 1000 rhinos in South Africa in 2013 alone and trust me that is the official figure the number is much higher, AND YES IN MOST CASES THERE are Orientals involved with some greedy locals, I am sad to say this but we are loosing the war on rhinos and I think Tanzania and the rest of Africa will loose the war on the elephants, Rhinos is already almost no existing in most of the Countries. And they are now after lion bones as well.

quote:

Originally posted by INTREPID SAFARIS:
The SAME THING WILL HAPPEN NOW IN Botswana AS WELL AS Zambia in the GMA also we have lost close to A 1000 rhinos in South Africa in 2013 alone and trust me that is the official figure the number is much higher, AND YES IN MOST CASES THERE are Orientals involved with some greedy locals, I am sad to say this but we are loosing the war on rhinos and I think Tanzania and the rest of Africa will loose the war on the elephants, Rhinos is already almost no existing in most of the Countries. And they are now after lion bones as well.

You are correct my friend I am sorry to say.

Sadly just 8 short years ago things were headed the other way. It seems as though that the economy...esp that of the US...had a lot to do with it.

It seems as though when the US became weak...the under belly of the world surfaced.

It's sad to know how long it takes to build things up but to know that they can disappear in a puff of smoke.

Thanks Cajun, I will take a look.