The Tanzanian government has just purchased 40 more drones to be used by wildlife conservation institutions to strengthen patrols, wildlife monitoring and efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
Procured through the Tanzania Wildlife Protection Fund, at a cost of around $930,000, and they were handed over by the country’s minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji, who said they would strengthen patrols, surveillance and real-time reporting of wildlife movements, enabling authorities to act before animals enter communities.
“This investment is aimed at increasing the capacity for aerial patrols, monitoring the movement of dangerous and destructive wildlife, and collecting real-time information,” Kijaji said.
“It is now expected that, with the use of this technology, incidents of dangerous and destructive animals entering residential areas will be controlled early, before they cross protected-area boundaries and reach people’s homes.”
The handover took place yesterday at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism offices in Mtumba, Dodoma, where Kijaji also closed a four-day training programme for 52 drone pilots from Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) and the Wildlife Division.
She said the technology would allow authorities to detect wildlife moving towards human settlements early and intervene before the animals leave protected areas.
Elephants and other wild animals can destroy crops and property and, in some cases, kill people when they enter populated areas.
Kijaji said the problem was being worsened by poaching, illegal wildlife trade, encroachment on protected areas and wildlife corridors, invasive plant species and climate-related pressures.
She said drought, unpredictable rainfall and floods could also affect wildlife habitats, water sources and pasture.
“These challenges can affect wildlife habitats, access to water and pasture, as well as relations between communities and conservation authorities,” she said.
The government also handed over 55 motorcycles to district, municipal and city councils, which would also go towards conservation efforts.