Bikers due to ride from Dar to Arusha in anti-poaching drive

By Devota Mwachang`a

13th August 2015

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Lu Youqing

The governments of Tanzania and China have launched a five-day bike tour from Dar es Salaam to Arusha to raise awareness on elephant poaching in Tanzania.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday   during the launch of the tour dubbed; “Youth Cycling for Elephants” Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Dr Lu Youqing said the tour is aimed to raise public awareness on elephant poaching.

“China has been working closely with Tanzania in the conservation of natural resources…the tour will involve 60 Tanzanians and Chinese  youth in a bid to promote public awareness on wildlife protection” he said.

Ambassador Dr Youqing said the participants will conduct a series of publicity and charitable programmes among local people, such as donations, seminars, interviews and playing of documentaries.

One of the participants, Mohamed Kamuta from the Authorised Association Consortium said; “I do believe that through this campaign of biking for Elephants, people will be aware on the effects of poaching and advantages of keeping wild animals…individuals, institutions, NGOs and the government together can unite to ensure the poaching in our country is becoming a history.” 

He said the event, is organised and sponsored by the Chinese embassy together with Population Priority Service, a local volunteer group and involves several primary and secondary school students from the city based schools. 

“The response of you here today, illustrates that young men and women in Tanzania are against elephant poaching in an effort to stop the global ivory trade,” he said.

In July this year, the Chinese Embassy donated various equipment including vehicle, telescopes and generators worth 2.6bn/- to beef up Tanzania’s anti-poaching operations in its national parks.

In June this year, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu officially launched a campaign called the Wildlife Pride Campaign to fight against poaching in the country and emphasised  that the government alone cannot manage to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking without involving various people and institutions.

 SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN