Cooperation Between Anti-Poaching Squads and Local Communities Necessary in Fight Against Africa's Wildlife Poaching

Samia Suluhu Hassan

Tanzania's Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently officiated at an inauguration of a paramilitary group assigned to fight illegal poaching and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products. The force began with 313 members, which includes female and male personnel, and will function under the country's Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. The inauguration ceremony took place at Fort Ikoma in the Serengeti District. In her address, Vice President Hassan hopes that the anti-poaching squad will effectively combat poaching in Tanzania and urged the communities living in the vicinity of the country's game reserves and national parks to cooperate with the appropriate government authorities in fighting the wildlife crimes. She further showed her optimism that fighting poaching would increase the tourism sector by attracting more tourists. Hamisi Kigwangalla, the minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, disclosed earlier in the ceremony that the women and men who form the squad were from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and Wildlife Management Authority, among others. He further added that they have been enlisted by the Tanzania People's Defense Force (TPDF).

Landscape of Serengeti National Park

I can say that I'm hopeful that this anti-poaching squad will be effective in combating wildlife poaching and the trafficking of wildlife. Due to members' paramilitary background, I have no doubt they are ideal candidates in the ongoing battle against poaching of Africa's elephants and rhinos. I'm very grateful that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism came up with this initiative to not only protect Tanzania's wildlife, but to ensure the benefit of the country's tourism sector. Tanzania, like most African countries, relies on tourism as the main source of income. However, the wildlife also attracts poachers and wildlife smugglers whose activities can have a drastic effect on the country's economy as well as its natural environment. I strongly believe that the work of this paramilitary squad combined with the cooperation from communities living in the fringes of Tanzania's protected areas will certainly help put a stop to poaching and wildlife smuggling activities in Tanzania. If this project works, I hope other African countries will follow Tanzania's example in developing similar initiatives to save their local wildlife and benefit their tourism industries. Illegal poaching and wildlife smuggling cannot be stopped mainly by anti-poaching personnel and other authorities. It is highly essential to have a joint cooperation between local communities and anti-poaching squads to put an end to such crimes against nature.

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