NATIONAL ELEPHANT DAY

The World Elephant Day campaign started in 2012. “Bringing the world together to help elephants” is the theme for the fifth World Elephant Day and in Tanzania the National Elephant Day is 22 September.

This annual event is a platform for conservation organizations and individuals worldwide to come together in joining efforts to reach out to the public and advocate for wildlife conservation. Tanzania is globally prominent for its abundance and diversity of wildlife resources and has developed various strategies to ensure continued conservation efforts of elephants, for the benefit of the present and future generations.

In 2014, the Government launched the National Strategy to Combat Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade. The strategy intends to conduct intelligence-led patrols and building capacity for staff in using modern equipment and technology to combat poaching.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has established a Wildlife Crime Task Force which will be operating in all ecosystems in the country. Other efforts that Tanzania, is taking combating poaching include:

 Establishment of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), which is now in place, and will allow for efficient and effective management of wildlife resources outside National Parks and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

 Soliciting donor support for conservation of wildlife, implementing the National Strategy to Combat Elephant Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade and implementing the National Elephant and Ivory Action Plans;

 Increasing involvement of local communities in conservation;

 Increasing bilateral and multilateral cooperation and collaboration;

 Promoting ecosystem management approach by conserving wildlife corridors, buffer zones, and cross border protected areas;

 Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies/institutions both national and international to intensify patrols, operations and intelligence networking;

 Employing more staff and providing them with appropriate skills.

The future of wildlife in Tanzania and elephants in particular depends on adoption of effective law enforcement measures to ensure their survival in their natural habitats. This calls for commitment and cooperation of national and international fraternities and agencies.

The World Elephants Day brings the world together to save the elephants because elephants are a keystone species in conservation and in the tourism industry. As such they are stewards of their environment.

PERMANENT SECRETARY

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM