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Tanzania to establish wildlife crime unit to curb poaching

Xinhua, February 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Tanzania is set to establish a special Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) in an effort to reinforce its battle against poaching, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Jumanne Maghembe said Tuesday.

The move came barely two weeks when poachers gunned down a helicopter which was on a regular patrol in Maswa Game Reserve on the southern part of Serengeti National Park, killing British national pilot Roger Gower.

So far nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

"This is one of the measures taken by the government to scale up the war against poaching and plundering of natural resources," said Prof. Maghembe.

"As a government, we are determined to eliminate the entire syndicate of poaching in this country. The latest incident shows us that poachers are well-prepared and we're also telling that the war against them has just started," he said, adding that the proposed unit will be multi-sectoral in terms of its operation.

According to the minister, the WCU will involve experts from Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) and will be working in collaboration with security organs from Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) as well as local and international conservation institutions and other players.

"This unit will also be used to coordinate all small groups that are made in eight ecological systems. The idea of this is to track all movements of wildlife poaching, illegal harvesting and transportation of wildlife and forest resources," the minister said.

Other government's strategies include speeding up the process of transforming the operation of wildlife conservation from civilian to paramilitary.

Prof. Maghembe also said: "The government is working on the possibilities of banning private people from owning fire arms to reduce the increasing incidents of people to use arms in committing crimes."

"Conservators will also be empowered with better conservation skills including on how to collect information related to poachers as well as empowering them with working facilities," he said, calling other players in and outside the country to assist the east African nation in fighting the menace that threatens tourism industry. Endit