As rhino and elephant poaching numbers reach unprecedented levels, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has committed to further support Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and Wildlife Division (WD) with a new fleet of Land Rovers to expand surveillance and security in Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve and Maswa Game Reserve.
(Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 11 March 2014) An official ceremony has taken place at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on the 11th of March, 2014. Five vehicles were given to TANAPA for use in Serengeti National Park and six to Tanzania’s Wildlife Division, five for use in Selous Game Reserve and one for use in Maswa Game Reserve. The five vehicles for Serengeti were provided by FZS as a contribution under the framework of the German Development Cooperation project implemented by KfW and GIZ.
The handover of these vehicles symbolises the fruitful partnership between Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Recent collaboration has also included the aerial wildlife census of the Selous Ecosystem in October 2013. The results from this census raised concerns about a rapid decline in elephant numbers, encouraging increased protection efforts through ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
The President of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has acknowledged the ongoing threats and has received the donation of vehicles from Frankfurt Zoological Society. These vehicles will help support anti-poaching efforts in the Serengeti and Selous Ecosystems, two of Tanzania’s most important protected areas and both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The rate of elephant poaching in the Selous Ecosystem is among the highest in Africa, yet its size alone, offers hope for the sustained presence of both elephants and rhinos in Africa if protection is improved.
Other attendees included the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr. Lazaro Nyalandu, Acting Director of the Wildlife Division, Mr. Paul Sarakikya, the Director General of TANAPA, Mr. Allan Kijazi, Project Manager of Selous Game Reserve, Mr. Benson Kibonde, Chief Park Warden of Serengeti, Mr. William Mwakilema, Africa Director of FZS, Mr. Robert Muir, among many other distinguished representatives from TANAPA and the WD who serve these protected areas. Media are invited to document the event.
When: 11 March 2014 at 3:00 pm
Where: The State House, Dar es Salaam
PHOTOS & CONTACT
Frankfurt Zoological Society, Press Office
Laura Borner – Africa Communications Manager
Africa Regional Office
PO Box 14935
Arusha, Tanzania
phone: +255 (0) 732 985 768
**High resolution images are available on request.
Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and is an internationally operating conservation organisation based in Frankfurt, Germany. Our goal is to protect the natural diversity of species in important ecosystems across the globe – in partnership with and for people. FZS has made long-term commitments to the protection of areas that are strongholds for elephants and rhinos, including some of the largest and most important savanna areas in Africa. FZS therefore places particular emphasis on working with local partners to identify and implement locally relevant solutions to conservation challenges. For further information please visit www.fzs.org.