Wounded wildlife officer rues missing poachers, at MOI

By Polycarp Machira

12th January 2014

January 6th night this year will remain memorable for Richard Temu (36), a wildlife officer at Uguge Reserves as he closely failed to achieve what his heart likes most.

The youthful officer, just two weeks before that night, managed to seize a submachine gun (SMG) sixty bullets and four traditional or home-made guns from poachers.

On the fateful night, Richard, who had in the previous day been requested to lead other wildlife officers in operation to arrest poachers failed to achieve this, seeing the poachers just about 150 meters away.

The talented officer broke his left leg when he went into a deep hole while taking cover, plotting ambush on the poachers. He was airlifted to Dar es Salaam and admitted at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).

“The whole exercise could not continue after I had the fracture, and the most painful part was seeing the poachers disappear slowly into thin air,” Richard told journalists who visited him Friday.

Narrating the ordeal, he said he was called to join forces with his colleagues after several gunshots were heard in the reserve area. He said they woke up at 4 am in preparation for the attack and by 5 am, they were out for serious exercise.

Richard and five other officers took four hours to trace the poachers and only managed to get close to them at around nine o’clock in the morning and a more serious search ensued.

“We followed them keenly for about 40 more minutes and came closer, at a range of about 150 meters and decided to take cover, knowing that they could be heavily armed,” he said.

The single officer, who just returned from training in an environmental planning management course at the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) in Dodoma in September, is not sure whether he will get well enough to go back to his job of ten years.

As he awaits operation on his leg probably on Wednesday, he admits that his job has of late become more dangerous following rampant poaching.

He said, “I love the job, though it is very risky and challenging, making it more difficult for any officer who has had physical impairment to survive there.”

Richard admits that wildlife officers work in a difficult and challenging environment in an effort to save national wildlife which is endangered by illegal hunters and trophy seekers.

The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu who visited the ailing officer at MOI’s private ward promised government commitment to ensure the officer gets good treatment, wishing him a quick recovery.

He said, “We really feel the pain of young Tanzanians some of whom are killed and others wounded in the hands of poachers. The government will not leave a stone unturned in endeavors to stop the vice.”

This came in just a few minutes after the deputy minister launched elephant census results for 2013 earlier in the day. More incidents have been reported since the government suspended an anti-poaching operation, ‘Tokomeza Ujangili.’

At least 60 elephants have reportedly been killed in various national parks and game reserves after the suspension of the operation to eliminate poachers and their ivory trade financiers from encroaching on the parks.

 “Tokomeza Ujangili” culminated in the sacking of four cabinet ministers after a stormy session in the National Assembly, with the operation having been suspended at the urging of MPs early November.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

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Census: Jumbo poaching alarming

By Athuman Mtulya The Citizen Reporter

Posted  Saturday, January 11  2014 at  02:01

In Summary

• Conducted late last year, the tallying in the Selous-Mikumi and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems revealed a sharp decline on jumbos in the two important strongholds for elephants in the world.

Dar es Salaam. A government census of the population of elephants in two major habitats of jumbos in the country has revealed a shocking picture of the devastation poaching is inflicting on their numbers.

Conducted late last year, the tallying in the Selous-Mikumi and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems revealed a sharp decline on jumbos in the two important strongholds for elephants in the world.

The October – November census also confirms claims of the country, which is said to have lost half of its elephant population in the past four years, being the slaughter house of jumbos in the world. Wildlife conservationists have warned that Tanzania is losing rapidly its elephant population as poaching continues unabated.

Presenting the census results yesterday in Dar es Salaam, the deputy minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, reiterated the government’s desire and efforts to deal with the poaching menace.

“This census results are clear evidence that poaching of elephants has reached unprecedented levels. In response we are determined to intensify the protection of wildlife in collaboration with other stakeholders…my ministry is finalizing the process of establishing an autonomous body, Tanzania Wildlife Authority,” he said.

The minister also said the wildlife conservation laws are being reviewed in order to allow adoption of paramilitary system among employees of the wildlife sector.

According to him, the census that cost $160,000 (about Sh258 million) was funded by the government, the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and UNDP. The tallying put the current number of elephants in the Selous-Mikumi ecosystem at 13,084, which is a 66 per cent drop from their 38,975 population in 2009.

In the Ruaha-Rungwa ecological region, the jumbos population dropped by 35 per cent from 31,625 to 20,090 during the period.

Statistics from previous census indicate that in 1976 the Selous-Mikumi had 109, 419 elephants. The number dropped dramatically to 22,208 in 1991 following a wave of poaching between 1984 and 1989.

Following a countrywide ‘Operation Uhai’ from 1990, the population of elephants in 2006, the highest number of elephants in the recent years was recorded as 70,406. However, with the rise of poaching, the number has dramatically dropped to the current 13,084.

The census by using carcass ratio (the portion of live elephants and carcasses) established the causes of deaths. “Under normal conditions, a ratio of seven to eight per cent indicates natural mortality such as diseases and old age. A ratio more than that indicates non-natural causes,” said the minister.

 According to a report released by UN Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc) September last year, 37 per cent of the illicit ivory consignments seized globally between 2009 and 2011 originated from The government estimated that 32, 987 kilogrammes of elephant tusks from the country were seized inside and abroad between 2008 and September 2013. According to the Tanzania Elephant Protection Society, around 30 elephants are killed in the country every day, adding up to about 11,000 animals each year, and it is feared that elephants could be extinct in just seven years.

The ivory poached from the country is smuggled mainly to Asia which accounts for about two thirds of the global market and the port of Dar es Salaam is said to be the major transit point of the illicit trade.

In a bid to deal with the poaching menace, the government has employed various measures including the launching of ‘Operesheni Tokomeza’ last year, which was however, suspended without delivering tangible results.

This was after the parliamentary committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment chaired by legislator James Lembeli presented a shocking report that detailed widespread abuses, including murder, torture and extortion, during the operation.

Four cabinet ministers were forced to resign after agencies under their dockets were implicated in the Operesheni Tokomeza abuses. These were Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Defence and National Service), Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs), Mr Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism) and Dr Mathayo David (Livestock Development and Fisheries).

The “shoot-to-kill” policy against poachers as a radical measure to curb the mass slaughter of elephants was widely criticized by activists who said that it was not only against the law but also against human rights.

Tanzania. The report also revealed that 64 per cent of the elephants that died in 2011 at Selous Game Reserve were illegally killed by poachers; the number stood at 94 per cent in Ruaha.

GOMBE: Hifadhi yenye sokwe wanaoishi kama binadamu

09/01/2014 | Posted by Editha Karlo | Makala

TANZANIA imejaliwa kuwa na hifadhi zenye vivutio mbalimbali  wakiwamo wanyama, ndege, maua, milima, vijito, fukwe nzuri na maporomoko ya maji.

Hifadhi zilizopo ni Mlima Kilimanjaro, Gombe, Rubondo, Katavi, Ruaha, Kitulo, Tarangire, Mkomazi, Saadani, Mikumi, Udzungwa, Manyara, Serengeti, Mahale, mji wa Arusha na Saanane.

Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Gombe iliyopo Kigoma ilianzishwa mwaka 1943, ikiwa kama pori la akiba, baada ya kuwaondoa wananchi waliokuwa wakiishi ndani ya eneo hilo mwaka 1942.

Lengo hasa la kutenga eneo hilo la Gombe na kuanzishwa kwa hifadhi ni kuhakikisha wanyama adimu kama sokwe mtu wanaofanana kitabia na kiumbo na binadamu wanaendelea kulindwa na kudumu kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo.

Gombe ina ukubwa wa kilometa za mraba 52; ni hifadhi ndogo kuliko zote nchini na ina umaarufu mkubwa kutokana kuwepo kwa wanyama aina ya sokwe.

Pia sehemu kubwa ndani ya hifadhi hii ni milima, mabonde na misitu minene ya kijani kwa mwaka mzima.

Hifadhi ya Gombe inapakana na vijiji vya Mwamgongo, Mtanga, Bubango, Chankele na Mtaraganza na haipo mbali na Burundi upande wa kaskazini, ambapo ni mwendo wa takriban saa moja na nusu kwa usafiri wa boti za injini.

Sokwe hawa kwa hapa nchini si kwamba wanapatikana katika Hifadhi ya Gombe pekee, bali wanapatikana pia katika Hifadhi ya Mahale na Kisiwa cha Rubondo katika Ziwa Victoria, Mwanza.

Ndani ya hifadhi kuna nyani wa kijivu, mbega mwekundu, kima mwenye mkia wa bluu na chotara, pia katika hifadhi hiyo kuna pongo, ndege wa aina mbalimbali na nyoka wakubwa wakiwamo chatu.

Sifa nyingine ya hifadhi hii ni kuwa kando kando mwa Ziwa Tanganyika na vyanzo vya maji vinavyotiririsha maji ndani ya Ziwa Tanganyika.

Historia inaonyesha kuwa mwaka 1960 mtafiti maarufu wa wanyama duniani, Jane Goodall, raia wa Uingereza alifika Gombe na kuvutiwa na uhifadhi wa sokwe; hivyo alianza kufanya utafiti wa wanyama hao adimu.

Utafiti wa Jane ulizaa matunda ambapo mwaka 1965 kilianzishwa kituo cha utafiti wa sokwe na mazingira yake na miaka mitatu baadaye, yaani mwaka 1968 eneo la Gombe lilipandishwa hadhi na kuwa hifadhi kamili ya taifa.

Shughuli za utalii zilianza mwaka 1978, ikiwa ni pamoja na kupata wageni mbalimbali kutoka ndani na nje ya nchi, hivyo kuliwezesha taifa kuongeza pato kwa ajili ya maendeleo.

Mhifadhi Mkuu wa Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Gombe, Noelia  Myonga, anasema huwezi kuizungumzia Hifadhi ya Gombe bila ya kulitaja Ziwa Tanganyika, kwa sababu ya ukaribu wake na hifadhi hiyo na pia sehemu ya ziwa hilo ipo ndani ya hifadhi.

Myonga anasema Ziwa Tanganyika linachangia katika utalii kwa sababu lina aina 400 za samaki, ambapo wengi wao hawapatikani kwingine.

Anaitaja sifa nyingine ya ziwa hilo kuwa ni la kwanza duniani kwa ujazo wa maji baridi, lina takriban kilometa za ujazo 18,900, sawa na asilimia 17 ya maji baridi duniani.

Myonga anasema hadi sasa hifadhi ina sokwe 106, Hifadhi ya Mahale ina sokwe 700 na Hifadhi ya Rubndo ina sokwe 30, hivyo kuifanya Tanzania kuwa na sokwe 836.

“’Wakati Hhifadhi ya Gombe inaanzishwa ilikuwa na sokwe 150 lakini kutokana na haya mambo ya ujangili wa miaka ya nyuma, magonjwa na kuzeeka, kumesababisha sokwe kupungua hadi kufikia 106,” anasema.

Anazitaja shughuli zinazofanywa na watalii wanapofika  katika Hifadhi ya Gombe  kuwa ni pamoja na safari ndefu ya kutembea kwa miguu kuangalia sokwe mtu na wanyama wengine ndani ya hifadhi hiyo.

Pia kuogelea na matembezi mafupi katika fukwe safi na nzuri za Ziwa Tanganyika, kutazama maporomoko ya maji (Kakombe na Mkenke) na kupanda katika kilele cha mlima kiitwacho Janes Peak.

Shughuli nyingine ni kutembea katika msitu mnene wa asili na kingo za Bonde la Ufa la mashariki.

Myonga anataja mafanikio ambayo nchi imeyapata kutokana na hifadhi hiyo ya kuwa ni pamoja na kupokea wageni 1,707 kwa mwaka 2010/2011, ambao waliliingizia taifa sh 252,283,100 na mwaka 2011/2012 walipokea wageni 1,809 walioingiza sh 309,391,000.

Mhifadhi huyo anasema sehemu kubwa ya mapato hayo yamekuwa yakiwanufaisha wananchi hasa wanaoishi jirani na hifadhi.

“Tumekuwa tukishirikiana na vijiji vinavyozunguka hifadhi katika kutekeleza miradi mbalimbali inayoibuliwa na serikali ya vijiji, miradi hiyo ni kama kujenga madarasa, madawati, nyumba na ofisi za walimu.

“Unajua miradi kama hii inatufanya tuwe na uhusiano mzuri na wananchi wanaoishi kuzunguka maeneo ya hifadhi, sababu wanaona manufaa ya kuwa na hifadhi, hivyo hutusaidia katika kuitunza,” anasema Myonga.

Anasema wananchi wanaoishi kandokando ya hifadhi hunufaika na wageni wanaoingia katika hifadhi hiyo ambapo hucheza ngoma za asili kwa ajili ya kuwakaribisha wageni na hujipatia kipato cha moja kwa moja kutoka kwa watalii, pia wananchi hupata ajira za kazi zinapotokea hifadhini.

Pamoja na mafanikio hayo, Myonga anasema zipo changamoto ikiwemo miundombinu mibovu, hasa ya barabara katika Mkoa wa Kigoma, hali inayosababisha watalii wachache kutembelea Kigoma.

Changamoto nyingine ni ulinzi hafifu wa wanyama hao adimu na kuhakikisha wanapata mahitaji yao ya kila siku ikiwemo chakula katika mazingira wanayoishi.

Pia ongezeko la idadi ya watu, kujenga maeneo ya hifadhi, huku wakiendesha shughuli kama za kilimo pamoja na usalama wa watumishi, kwani kumekuwepo na wimbi la utekaji wa boti ndani ya Ziwa Tanganyika.

Myonga anatoa rai kwa serikali kuendelea kuhifadhi maeneo ya Ziwa Tanganyika kwa ajili ya shughuli za kiuchumi na kitalii, pia anaishukuru serikali kukubali kuongeza kilometa 21 katika mipaka ya hifadhi.

Mhifadhi huyo anawataka wakazi wa Kigoma kujenga tabia ya kutembelea hifadhi zao na kuwapeleka watoto kipindi cha likizo kutembelea hifadhi.

Anasema kwa sasa gharama za kutembelea Hifadhi ya Gombe ni sh 1,500 kama kiingilio na sh 500 kama fedha ya kutembea.

Malazi pia hupatika kwa sh 5,000 kwa siku, gharama ya chakula ni sh 5,000 kwa mlo mmoja,  soda ni sh 1,500 na  bia ni sh 2500.

“Wananchi wajitokeze kutembelea Hifadhi yao ya Gombe kwani usafiri wa kufika huku na kurudi  upo wa boti na ni wa uhakika, watoto chini ya miaka 15  hawaruhisiwi kuingia hifadhini kutalii, kwa sababu ya usalama wao, wanabaki katika nyumba zetu za kupumzikia wageni,” anasema Myonga.

Daktari wa wanyama wa Shirika la Hifadhi za Taifa (TANAPA), Jane Raphael, anasema kwa kawaida sokwe huishi miaka 50.

Anasema majike huishi miaka mingi kuliko madume ambao huishi takriban miaka 35.

Daktari huyo anazitaja baadhi ya tabia ambazo sokwe hufanana na binadamu ni kuwa wakifiwa hukusanyika pamoja na kulia kwa huzuni, ambapo huomboleza hadi mwili wa mwenzao uoze.

“Wakiona mwili wa mwenzao aliyekufa umeshaoza, hasa wanapoona inzi wengi, ndipo hujua kwamba mwenzao amekufa, wanaondoka na kwenda eneo jingine, lakini huwa na huzuni sana,” anasema Dk. Raphael.

Anasema sokwe nao hupangilia uzazi kama binadamu, kwani huzaa kila baada ya miaka mitano au minne; pia wanaheshimiana sana, huwezi kukuta anaoa kaka au dada.

“Wanaheshimiana sana, huwezi kukuta kampanda mama yake, na mama huwa anatembea na mtoto wake hadi anapokua na kwenda kuanza kutembea na kundi lake,” anasema.

Dk. Raphael anasema wanyama hao wana tabia ya kujenga nyumba kama za binadamu, ingawa zao ni sawa na viota juu ya miti, nyumba zao huziezeka kwa nyasi au majani, ila panapopambazuka huamia eneo jingine, hivyo hujenga kila siku nyumba zao.

Ofisa Utalii wa Hifadhi ya Gombe aliyejitambulisha kwa jina moja la Anifa, anasema wananchi hawana uelewa wa kutosha juu ya utalii na uhifadhi.

“Wananchi wengine wanadhani mtalii ni Mzungu pekee, hapana, mtalii ni mtu yeyote anayetembelea mahali fulani tofauti na anapoishi kwa muda usiopungua saa 24 na usiozidi mwaka mmoja kwa lengo la kupumzika, kustarehe na mafunzo,” anasema Anifa.

Anifa anasema vitu vinavyosababisha utalii wa Kigoma kutokukua ni tatizo la mawasiliano ya uhakika kati ya mgeni na wenyeji, usafiri usio na uhakika na huchukua muda mwingi kufika Kigoma kutokea maeneo mbalimbali.

Ofisa huyo anasema Kigoma ni mkoa muhimu katika utalii wa nchi, kwani kuna vivutio muhimu vya kihistoria, kiasili na kitamaduni.

Anavitaja baadhi ya vivutio hivyo kuwa ni Pori la Akiba la Moyowosi, makumbusho ya Dk. Livingstone Ujiji na mji wa Ujiji.

Wananchi wanaoishi Kigoma huu ndio wakati wa kuchangamkia fursa ya kufaidika na Hifadhi ya Gombe, kwani hivi sasa idadi ya watalii wanaokwenda Gombe na kulala imeongezeka, hivyo zinahitajika hoteli nzuri na nyumba za kulala wageni.

MATOKEO YA SENSA YA IDADI YA TEMBO KATIKA MFUMO WA IKOLOJIA WA SELOUS-MIKUMI NA RUAHA-RUNGWA

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism - Tanzania ·

 ·Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii inapenda kuujulisha umma matokeo ya sensa ya tembo iliyofanyika mwezi Oktoba na Novemba mwaka huu ili kuiwezesha Serikali kutambua hali ya rasilimali ya wanyamapori ndani na nje ya maeneo yaliyohifadhiwa.

 Wizara kwa kushirikiana na wataalamu wa ndani na nje ya nchi imefanya sensa katika Maeneo ya Mfumo ikolojia wa Selous – Mikumi na Ruaha – Rungwa pekee kwa kuwa ni maeneo yenye tembo wengi nchini. 

• 
  Matokeo ya sensa hii yanaonyesha kwamba Mfumo wa ikolojia wa Selous-Mikumi kwa sasa una tembo wapatao 13,084 na Ruaha–Rungwa una tembo wapatao 20,090. Takwimu hizi zinaonesha kupungua kwa idadi ya tembo na hasa katika mfumo ikolojia wa Selous-Mikumi ikilinganishwa na Sensa za awali.
  
  Takwimu za muda mrefu zinaonesha kwamba mwaka 1976 katika mfumo ikolojia wa Selous–Mikumi kulikuwa na tembo 109,419. Idadi hii ilipungua kufikia 22,208 mwaka 1991 kutokana na wimbi la ujangili uliokuwepo katika kipindi cha mwaka 1984 -1989. Hata hivyo, idadi hiyo iliongezeka na kufikia 70,406 mwaka 2006 baada ya Operesheni Uhai iliyofanyika mwaka 1989 na 1990 na juhudi za kimataifa za uhifadhi ikiwemo kusitisha biashara ya meno ya tembo.
  
  Aidha, idadi ya tembo nchini ilipungua hadi kufikia jumla ya tembo 38,975 mwaka 2009 na kuendelea kupungua hadi kufikia tembo 13,084 hivi sasa.
  
  Hali kama hiyo inaonekana pia katika mfumo wa ikolojia wa Ruaha-Rungwa ambapo sensa ya mwaka 1990 ilionesha kuwa na tembo 11,712 kutokana na wimbi la ujangili. Idadi hii iliongezeka na kufikia 35,461 mwaka 2006. Hata hivyo, idadi hiyo imepungua na kubakia tembo 20,090 hivi sasa.
  
  Kwa matokeo haya inaonesha kuwa katika mfumo ikolojia wa Selous-Mikumi idadi ya tembo imepungua kwa asilimia 66 ikilinganishwa na idadi ya mwaka 2009 ambapo kulikuwa na jumla ya tembo 38,975. na katika Mfumo ikolojia wa Ruaha–Rungwa Tembo wamepungua kwa asilimia 36.5 ikilinganishwa na idadi ya mwaka 2009 ambapo kulikuwa na jumla ya tembo wapatao 31,625.
  
  Kupungua huku kunathibitishwa na idadi ya mizoga ya tembo iliyohesabiwa wakati wa zoezi la sensa. Jumla ya mizoga 6,516 na 3,496 ilihesabiwa katika mifumo ikolojia ya Selous-Mikumi na Ruaha–Rungwa. Katika zoezi hili Wizara ilitumia vigezo vya uwiano wa mizoga na tembo hai waliohesabiwa (carcass ratio) kubaini vyanzo vya vifo hivyo. Katika hali ya kawaida, uwiano wa asilimia 7 – 8 unaashiria vifo vya asili kama vile ugonjwa na uzee. Zaidi ya asilimia hiyo inaashiria vifo visivyo vya asili.
  
  Sensa iliyofanyika mwaka huu imeonesha uwiano wa asilimia 30 kwa mfumo ikolojia wa Selous-Mikumi na asilimia 14.6 kwa Ruaha–Rungwa. Kwa mujibu wa matokeo hayo, idadi kubwa ya vifo vya tembo vimetokana na vifo visivyo vya asili.
  
  Uchambuzi wa kina umebainisha kuwa asilimia 95 na 85 ya mizoga iliyoonekana katika mifumo ikolojia ya Selous-Mikumi na Ruaha–Rungwa ni ya zaidi ya miezi 18 iliyopita.
  
  Hii inaonesha kuwa juhudi za makusudi zilizofanywa na serikali ikiwa ni pamoja na kuimarisha doria na operesheni maalum mbalimbali za hivi karibuni zimesaidia kupunguza wimbi la ujangili kwa kiasi kikubwa.
  
  Aidha, kukamatwa kwa meno ya tembo yenye uzito wa kilogramu 32,987 ndani na nje ya nchi katika kipindi cha 2008 hadi Septemba 2013 ni ishara tosha kuwa ujangili ni mojawapo ya sababu kubwa za kupungua kwa idadi ya tembo nchini.
  
  Sababu nyingine ni kuongezeka kwa mifugo katika maeneo yaliyohifadhiwa na shoroba za wanyamapori. Mathalan, katika Pori Tengefu la Kilombero ambalo ni sehemu ya ikolojia ya Selous – Mikumi, mwaka 2002 lilikuwa na tembo 2,080, katika sensa ya mwaka huu, hukukuwa na tembo hata mmoja.
  
  Ongezeko la bei katika masoko ya biashara haramu ya meno ya tembo hususan katika nchi za Mashariki ya mbali ni kichocheo na kisababishi kikubwa.
  
  Kufuatia hali hii, Wizara inaimarisha ulinzi wa wanyamapori kwa kushirikiana na vyombo vya ulinzi na usalama na taasisi nyingine za kanda na kimataifa pamoja na kuelimisha na kushirikisha wananchi katika masuala mbalimbali ya uhifadhi.
  
  Ili kuimarisha na kuboresha shughuli za uhifadhi, Wizara iko katika hatua za mwisho za kuanzisha mamlaka mpya ya wanyamapori. Vilevile sheria za uhifadhi zinapitiwa ili kuruhusu kuanzishwa kwa mfumo wa kijeshi kwa watumishi wa sekta ya wanyamapori.
  
  Wizara inapenda kuwatambua na kuwashukuru wafadhili wote waliofanikisha sensa hii iliyogharimu kiasi cha dola za kimarekani 160,000 ikiwa ni fedha za serikali na wafadhili. Wafadhili hao ni Shirika la Misaada ya Kiufundi la Ujerumani (GIZ) kupitia Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) na Shirika la Umoja wa Mataifa la Maendeleo (UNDP) kupitia Mradi wa TANAPA wa SPANEST.
  
  Imetolewa na
  Naibu Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii
  Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu (MB)
  10/01/2014 — with Pascal Shelutete and Asha Bani.

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We’re now going after the big fish, says govt

By Frank Kimboy The Citizen Reporter

Posted  Friday, January 10  2014 

In Summary

Contacted a day after presenting the report in Dodoma, the outspoken Kahama MP declined to name the legislators accused of either being directly involved in poaching or being beneficiaries of the illegal activity.

Dar es Salaam. The government is now going after the “big fish” in its crackdown on elephant poaching, Natural Resources and Tourism deputy minister Lazaro Nyalandu said yesterday.

Speaking exclusively to The Citizen, Mr Nyalandu refuted claims that the government was targeting insignificant individuals, leaving the masterminds untouched.

He said there were senior officials among the 21 government employees suspended to pave the way for investigations into their alleged roles in the slaughter of elephants in national parks, game reserves and other protected areas.

Mr Nyalandu announced the suspensions on Wednesday, but he neither named those who had been sent home nor said what their positions were, prompting speculation they were all junior employees, most likely game wardens. But he said yesterday that some of those suspended were senior officials heading key sections in the Wildlife Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

“Some senior government officials and other influential individuals are being investigated as part of wider efforts to stamp out poaching. We cannot name them because investigations are still going on,” Mr Nyalandu said. He added that the public had volunteered information which would help to uncover the masterminds of local poaching networks and their foreign collaborators.

“We want to establish who is behind poaching syndicates. We are sure the suspension of the 21 officials and information volunteered by the public will lead us to the bigwigs.”

Mr Nyalandu said the government had been taking a number of measures to keep poaching in check.

“We frequently transfer security personnel, including police officers and wardens, so that they are not tempted to work in cahoots with poachers if they stay at the same station for a long time,” he said.

The deputy minister urged people with information about poaching or atrocities committed during Operesheni Tokomeza to appear before the commission of inquiry to be appointed soon.

The chairman of the parliamentary Land, Natural Resources and Environment Committee, Mr James Lembeli, said when tabling the report of a select committee in the House last month that some people who spoke to the team claimed that a number of MPs were involved in poaching.

However, Mr Lembeli did not name the lawmakers.

Contacted a day after presenting the report in Dodoma, the outspoken Kahama MP declined to name the legislators accused of either being directly involved in poaching or being beneficiaries of the illegal activity.

What I read was just a summary of our 400-plus-page report and other accompanying documents. The names of the MPs and other details are in the documents. Since the report is now in the hands of the Speaker, I cannot divulge anything more... it’s up to the Speaker to release more information or not,” Mr Lembeli said.
Efforts to contact the Clerk of the National Assembly failed yesterday as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered. The government’s decision to suspend and investigate 21 officials came two days before today’s release of a new elephant census report.
Numbers of the pachyderms have fallen sharply in Tanzania in recent years due to poaching.
Elephants are still being slaughtered in national parks and game reserves for their tusks despite a worldwide ban on the ivory trade.
Tanzania’s elephant population has dropped from an estimated 109,000 in 2009 to around 70,000 in 2012, and today’s report is likely to paint an even bleaker picture. According to the Tanzania Elephant Protection Society, around 30 elephants are killed in the country every day, adding up to about 11,000 animals each year.
It is estimated that the country has lost half its elephant population since 2007, and it is feared that elephants could be extinct in just seven years.
The government last year launched Operesheni Tokomeza to curb poaching, but it was suspended after the Lembeli team’s report detailed widespread abuses, including murder, torture and extortion, during the operation. Four cabinet ministers were forced out after agencies under their watch were implicated in the Operesheni Tokomeza abuses.
They are Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Defence and National Service), Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs), Mr Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism) and Dr Mathayo David (Livestock Decelopment and Fisheries).
Additional reporting by Peter Nyanje

Vessel owner admits TMA storm warning was ignored

“You may find that the weather is not rough only at a certain time...but it stabilises after a while. And the good thing is that Tanzania has no strong tides as compared to neighbouring countries”Azam marine managing director hussein said.PHOTO|FILE 

By Fariji Msonsa ,Citizen Reporter

Posted  Thursday, January 9  2014 at  00:00

In Summary

According to Sumatra’s director of Maritime Safety and Security, Capt King Chiragi, most of the owners of marine vessels are not knowledgeable on weather forecasts and sea conditions.

Dar es Salaam. A day after the state forecaster said it duly gave a warning to seafarers ahead of two marine accidents last weekend, the owner of one of the ill-fated vessels has admitted having ignored the alert.

The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) told The Citizen on Monday that it cautioned sea users over high waves and tides, information which is normally given for 24 hours through media and at least twice a day through TMA officers at ports.

But yesterday, Azam Marine, the owner of Kilimanjaro II which was hit by waves off Zanzibar’s Nungwi Bay and killed at least five and left 18 others missing, said such warnings are unreliable due to regular weather changes.

The firm’s managing director, Mr Hussein Said, told The Citizen that regular alerts from TMA were not reliable since they were too general and covered over 24 hours while conditions at sea kept changing at least every three hours.

“We get information and alerts from TMA, but since they are for 24 hours...we do not rely much on them,” said Mr Said.

Adding that, “you may find that the weather is not rough only at a certain time...but it stabilises after a while. And the good thing is that Tanzania has no strong tides as compared to neighbouring countries.” However, the fate of marine passengers in the country seems to remain in the hands of captains who receive intensive safety training, according to the Surface and marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra).

According to Sumatra’s director of Maritime Safety and Security, Capt King Chiragi, most of the owners of marine vessels are not knowledgeable on weather forecasts and sea conditions.

He said it was the captains who have familiarity with meteorological conditions as they are taught thoroughly on the subject. Therefore, it is upon them to decide whether to act on the alerts given by TMA or proceed with their journeys, he added.

“The users of the information given by TMA are the captains, not the owners

Poaching: Govt kicks out 21 officials

By Fariji Msonsa ,Citizen Reporter

Posted  Thursday, January 9  2014 at  00:00

In Summary

Of the 21, said deputy minister, 11 are from anti-poaching team from Arusha, four from Lwafi-Rukwa Forest Reserve, three from Maswa Forest Reserve and two from Selous Game Reserve.

Dar es Salaam. Alarmed by the fast dwindling elephant population that has dropped from an estimated 109,000 in 2009 to around 70,000 in 2012, the government yesterday sacked 21 game warders whom it accuses of colluding with poachers to kill animals.

According to the Tanzania Elephant Protection Society, around 30 elephants are killed for their ivory every day, that is, around 11,000 each year, thanks to the thriving poachers’ network.

It is estimated that the country has lost half its elephant population since 2007 and it is being concluded that this animal could be extinct in just seven years. The move to sack the game warders comes just a few weeks after four Cabinet ministers were forced to resign because of mishandling an anti-poaching operation. Apart from being suspended, the deputy Minister for Tourism and natural resources Mr Lazaro Nyalandu said, the affected workers are now facing legal action for violating the code of conduct by collaborating with poachers.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Nyalandu said the move of the employees comes in the wake of evidence gathered from the ministry’s internal investigations which have proven the involvement of the 21 in fueling poaching in the national parks and game reserves.

“The ministry will not hesitate to take action against any employee involved in retarding government’s efforts to eradicating poaching,” said the deputy minister.

Mr Nyalandu said that some staff in the ministry’s Wildlife Department have been involved in corruption, collaboration with poachers as well as facilitating the crime and hindering the government effort in its anti-poaching drive.

The ministry’s decision to suspend the 21 employees comes after the police force in collaboration with the ministry apprehended Mr Agostino Lori, 42, a game warden who had in his possession of two unlicensed guns and 12 flamingos in his backyard in Singida on Tuesday this week.

Of the 21, said deputy minister, 11 are from anti-poaching team from Arusha, four from Lwafi-Rukwa Forest Reserve, three from Maswa Forest Reserve and two from Selous Game Reserve.

At the same time, due to complexities that are emerging in the war against poaching, the minister said the government was considering the introduction of modern technology to save animal species that are in danger of disappearing.

Last month, a parliamentary select committee tabled an explosive report that led to the sacking of four Cabinet ministers. The report detailed gross human rights abuses by security forces and government officials during Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili (Operation Eradicate Poaching) that was meant to stamp out the slaughter of elephants.

Mr Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism), Mr David Mathayo (Livestock and Fisheries), Mr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs) and Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Defence and National Service) were relieved of their duties following fierce debate in Parliament during which MPs from the ruling CCM and the Opposition closed ranks and demanded justice for victims of the operation.

The ministers were accused of failing to oversee the operation, which has since been suspended indefinitely amid claims of abuses, torture, extortion and murder.

But before the dust settled, mounting pressure faced Prime Minister Mizengo to also resign for failing to keep the conduct of ministers under his stewardship in check. Speaking to The Citizen by telephone last month from his Kibaoni home village in Mlele District, Katavi Region, where he was on holiday, on the calls for him to step down, Mr Pinda said he wanted some peace and quiet during the festive season after a tumultuous Parliament sitting, but promised he would discuss his way forward in due cou