Tanzania's elephant population is on the rise

Tanzania’s elephant population has now stabilized, after it considerably declined due to intensive poaching especially between 2009 and 2014. The animals are slowly recovering with collaborative efforts of conservation groups, local communities and authorities.

20.000 elephants were counted in western Tanzania, one of the biggest reserves in East Africa, after Zimbabwe and Botswana. Animals from 25 other species are also doing well here, such as buffaloes, zebras, impala antelopes and giraffes.

Poaching in the country is down to 1.4 percent from 14 percent in 2018, which translates into a huge success registered by wildlife protection organizations, as well as a higher tourist influx and more revenues for the sector.

"Honestly, the results show a green light toward the future of tourism in our country. Many tourists come to see animals like elephants, lions, rhinos and others. So, with the elephant population stabilizing, the national income will increase. It really gives us the peace we tourist stakeholders need to believe that the tourism industry will grow fast", explained local tourism expert Makubi Mabula.

According to Ernest Mjingo, the managing director of the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, the country will continue to implement conservation projects while aiming to become one of the main wildlife tourism attractions on the continent, as well as a U.N. World Heritage Site thanks to the unique variety of protected species found within its national parks.

 

Source: voanews.com