TANZANIA: Tanzanian authorities make big ivory haul at Zanzibar port / Tourism minister says more than 35,000 elephants have been killed in just one park in the past five years

Record ID: 182388

  • Title: TANZANIA: Tanzanian authorities make big ivory haul at Zanzibar port / Tourism minister says more than 35,000 elephants have been killed in just one park in the past five years
  • Date: 14th November 2013
  • Summary: ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA (NOVEMBER 13, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VIEW OF SACKS CONTAINING IVORY SACKS BEING SLICED OPEN IVORY IN BAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Kiswahili) TANZANIA MINISTER OF TOURISM AND NATURAL RESOURCES, KHAMIS KAGASHEKI, SAYING: "At this speed and at this rate, surely will there won't be any elephants left. It is very worrying because for example just in Selous National Reserve, about four or five years ago there were about 50,000 elephants. Today, according to the latest census that we did there is much to be concerned about because the numbers have dropped drastically and now we are talking of 15,000 left." MORE OF IVORY (SOUNDBITE) (Kiswahili) ZANZIBAR MINISTER OF REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS, HAJI OMAR KHEIR, SAYING: "This is a crime of economic sabotage and it is not a case of just the Tanzania mainland, there is also a case of abuse of the port facilities here because it is being used for illegal activities. So the people involved will be charged with these two crimes." OFFICIAL MARKING BAG MORE OF IVORY BAGS BEING REMOVED FROM CONTAINER OFFICERS CUTTING OPEN BAG AND PAN TO MORE ON THE GROUND
  • Embargoed: 29th November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Country: Tanzania
  • Topics: Crime,Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA22PRQRLXTHMFIDLI5UOEP47Z2
  • Story Text: Zanzibar security officials seized a 40-foot container holding 1,000 pieces of ivory late on Wednesday afternoon (November 13) at the main port of the semi-autonomous island.
    The ivory had been put in bags which were then hidden in gunny sacks stuffed with shells and other articles supposedly for export.
    Officials said the shipment was destined for the Philippines from where it would probably have ended up in China.
    Tanzania's Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Khamis Kagasheki, said a huge number of elephants were being slaughtered for their ivory.
    "At this speed and at this rate, surely will there won't be any elephants left. It is very worrying because for example just in Selous National Reserve, about four or five years ago there were about 50,000 elephants. Today, according to the latest census that we did there is much to be concerned about because the numbers have dropped drastically and now we are talking of 15,000 left," Kagasheki said.
    The slaughter of elephants for their ivory, and rhinos for their horns, has increased sharply over the past few years as poachers become more sophisticated.
    In South Africa the animals are shot from helicopters, while recently dozens of elephants were killed by poachers who poisoned them with cyanide.
    Zanzibar's Minister for Regional Administration and Special Departments, Haji Omar Kheir, said those involved would soon appear in court.
    "This is a crime of economic sabotage and it is not a case of just the Tanzania mainland, there is also a case of abuse of the port facilities here because if it is being used for illegal activities. So the people involved will be charged with these two crimes," Kheir said.
    According to reports by global wildlife authorities, increased poaching, human conflicts and loss of habitats are drastically reducing elephant populations, especially in Central African countries.
    The UN estimates that over 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in monitored sites in 2011 alone. Overall figures may be much higher. The extent of the killings now far exceeds natural population growth rates, putting elephants at risk of extinction, especially in Central and Western Africa.
    Previously secure populations, such as those in East Africa, are now said to be under threat.
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