Kairuki, Dr. Abbas Wateta, and Conservation Stakeholders Meet

The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Angellah Kairuki (MP), has held discussions with conservation stakeholders, the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) from Germany, and Six Rivers Africa (SRA) from Tanzania, who have been assisting the government in various conservation areas including wildlife restoration, research, combating poaching, and supporting communities, especially those living adjacent to protected areas, as well as tourism issues.

The meeting took place today, April 22, 2024, in Arusha, where Kairuki continued to solicit cooperation in conservation efforts, including monitoring population numbers and conducting wildlife censuses in other ecological systems where the timing of wildlife census has been delayed, citing examples such as Burigi-Chato, Mkomazi National Park, Malagarasi-Moyowosi-Kigosi, and Serengeti ecosystems.

She also requested the stakeholders to participate in capacity building for conservationists, especially in technological advancements for wildlife census, procurement of improved wildlife monitoring equipment, and funding essential research on key wildlife species such as rhinos, elephants, and large carnivores (lions, leopards, and wild dogs).

Furthermore, she sought collaboration in enhancing technology to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, thereby minimizing harm to citizens, assisting in the reestablishment of wildlife corridors, and improving beekeeping technology in areas surrounding Serengeti and Nyerere National Parks for community livelihoods and infrastructure development (housing, patrols, roads, and airports).

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hassan Abbasi, thanked the stakeholders for their dedication to conservation efforts and pledged full cooperation in implementing various conservation projects they undertake.

At different times, the stakeholders expressed their support for the efforts of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in conservation, research, and improving the lives of communities adjacent to protected areas.

FZS and SRA have been supporting rhino conservation activities in Serengeti National Park, Grumeti-Ikorongo Game Reserve, Maswa Game Reserve, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, wildlife population monitoring (census) in the Serengeti ecosystem and the Selous-Nyerere-Mikumi ecosystem, and assisting in research activities.