Kajiado’s Governor, Joseph Ole Lenku, on 30 March 2024 raised concerns over the killing of super-tusker elephants within the Amboseli ecosystem along the Kenya- Tanzania border.[1] The species, characterized by bull elephants which boasts tusks that weigh at least 100 pounds have over the past few months been targeted by international sport hunters licensed by Tanzania. This is despite their declining numbers, currently estimated at about ten within the ecosystem.[2] Reports indicate that in January 2024 two large tuskers had been hunted in the Enduimet area of Tanzania, approximately 40 kilometers off the Kenya-Tanzania border, with a third hunted in the same region in March. Their imposing tusks have made them prime targets for trophy hunters, who favor such rare animals with striking visual features and those who may be riskier to hunt for the sake of prestige.
Hunters in Tanzania are reportedly willing to pay between USD 10,000-20,000 for an opportunity to hunt super tuskers.[3] This is despite a previous agreement between both countries in 1995 which disallowed border hunting following the killing of four Amboseli elephants in 1994.[4] In 2018, Tanzania lifted the ban on hunting for trophies and bush meat initially imposed in 2015 following abuse and misuse of hunting permits.[5] Following this, Tanzania’s Tourism Minister, Damas Dumbaro in 2022, travelled to Las Vegas to market the country’s hunting safaris at the 50th Annual Hunting Convention. The aim of the tour was to market the country’s hunting blocks to wealthy American hunting tourists and other trophy hunting investors.
Consequently, both actions have since laid a solid foundation for the expansion and advancement of trophy hunting within Tanzania notwithstanding concerns over noncompliance to set out regulations.[6]
Trophy hunting in Tanzania is governed by clearly outlined regulations.[7] Notably, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), specifies that hunting is only permitted during a specified season starting on the 1st of July and ending on the 31st of December. Furthermore, the regulations also highlight that stray elephants including the old and unproductive are permitted to be hunted for trophies. However, hunters need to present proof of the kill afterwards in the form of skin, hooves and other non-edible animal parts. Considering this, the three incidents in question violated the regulations. Firstly, the elephants were hunted outside the permitted hunting period. Secondly, the super tuskers were killed while approaching their prime productive years (males aged between 40-54 years known to have the largest tusks are identified as those having the highest reproductive successes).[8] Lastly, hunters intentionally burned the carcasses of two tuskers beyond identification, for reasons yet undisclosed. These breaches point to non-compliance and inadequate regulation oversight, casting doubt on trophy hunting transparency.[9]
Interestingly, in 2018, the trophy hunting industry in Tanzania had been implicated in the trafficking of wildlife.[10] This mainly occurred through – ‘pseudo-hunting’- a practice where trophy hunting is used as a guise to cover up for illegal activities such as wildlife trafficking or poaching. At the time, trophy hunts were used as a front to facilitate the acquisition and export of valuable parts of protected animals for illegal commercial trade. Consequent to this, in January 2018 the former Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Hamisi Kigwangalla accused hunting operators of being involved in poaching and illegal exports of ivory, further stating that the suspects had ties to the now arrested “Ivory Queen”, Ms Yang Fenglan. This paper seeks to highlight measures to curb wildlife crimes along the Kenya-Tanzania border
Pseudo hunting in Africa dates back to 2003 when criminal groups in South-East Asia discovered loopholes in South Africa’s hunting laws that could facilitate the transportation of rhino horns legally across international borders enabled by rhino hunting permits. Subsequently, ten Vietnamese applied for the permit and in turn returned home with mounted horn and other rhino body parts. Following this incident, South Africa recorded over 650 rhino trophies leaving the country destined for Vietnam between the years of 2003-2010, and by 2012, five Vietnamese run criminal syndicates were found guilty of exploiting the pseudo hunting loophole. Among them was Chumlong Lemtongthai, a Thai citizen who has since been released.[11] The incidents discussed demonstrate the clear disregard of Tanzania’s hunting regulations by licensed hunters, raising doubts about the transparency of their activities. This highlights the potential participation of criminal syndicates within the wildlife sector as the case in 2018, underscoring the need for increased vigilance amidst the ongoing target hunts for super tusker elephants.
Moreover, the involvement of government officials in these activities highlights the role of corruption within the wildlife sector. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in wildlife and conservation efforts. Addressing these issues requires increased cooperation between Tanzania and her neighbors, particularly Kenya, to curb the possibilities of wildlife trafficking disguised as trophy hunting. Such cooperation would necessitate intelligence and resource sharing to effectively combat the activities of wildlife criminal syndicates.
To address wildlife crimes along the Kenya-Tanzania border, it is crucial that both countries harmonize their wildlife licensing regulations. This harmonization should include synchronizing hunting seasons, standardizing permit requirements, and ensuring consistent enforcement across borders to close the loopholes that criminal groups currently exploit. Joint monitoring and surveillance operations, along with the establishment of a bilateral task force, can oversee the enforcement of wildlife protection laws and facilitate the sharing of intelligence on illegal activities. This enhanced collaboration will strengthen efforts to prevent and address wildlife crimes effectively.
Increased transparency and accountability in the wildlife sector are also essential. Implementing robust tracking systems for hunting permits and requiring comprehensive reporting from hunting operators are critical steps. Additionally, publicly disclosing hunting data and audit results will ensure that the sector operates with transparency, thereby restoring public trust.
Combating corruption within wildlife management authorities is another critical focus area. Establishing independent oversight bodies to investigate and address corruption, promoting whistleblower protection, and creating secure channels for reporting unethical practices will help mitigate corrupt activities and enhance governance in the sector. These measures will ensure that efforts to curb wildlife crimes are not undermined by internal malpractices.
Local communities play a key role in wildlife conservation efforts. Engaging them by providing education on the importance of biodiversity and offering incentives for protecting wildlife is necessary. Empowering communities to act as stewards of their natural resources and involving them in decision-making processes will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility toward conservation efforts. Their active participation will be vital in maintaining the integrity of conservation initiatives.
Strengthening legal frameworks is imperative to effectively deter potential offenders. Amending existing wildlife protection laws to include stricter penalties for violations and ensuring that the laws comprehensively address all aspects of wildlife crime, including pseudo-hunting and illegal trade, will create a robust legal deterrent against wildlife crimes.
Securing funding for wildlife conservation programs through international grants, partnerships with NGOs, and private sector investment is equally essential. Allocating resources for anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration, and community-based conservation projects will provide the necessary support to sustain long-term conservation efforts.
In conclusion, the ongoing exploitation of licensing loopholes by criminal groups for wildlife crimes along the Kenya-Tanzania border underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms. By harmonizing regulations, strengthening cross-border collaboration, enhancing transparency and accountability, combating corruption, involving local communities, and reinforcing legal frameworks, both countries can create a robust defense against wildlife crimes. These measures will not only protect endangered species like the super-tusker elephants but also ensure the ecological and economic sustainability of the region. The commitment to safeguarding wildlife heritage must be unwavering, as the consequences of inaction threaten not only the natural environment but also the socio-economic fabric of the border communities.
Notes
[1] Tanzania On The Spot As Kajiado Governor Lenku Exposes Elephant Killings, Trophy Hunting Permits. Citizen Digital, 2024.
[2] Amboseli super tuskers down to 10 as trophy hunters operate in stealth mode. Africa Geographic, 2024.
[3] Elephant deaths trigger Kenyan call for Tanzania to curb hunts. The East African, 2024.
[4] Elephant deaths trigger Kenyan call for Tanzania to curb hunts. Reuters, 2024.
[5] Tanzania lifts ban on hunting for trophies and bush meat. The East African, 2018.
[6] Hunters’ Demand For Elephant Trophies Should Not Take Precedence Over Government Accountability. Southern Tanzania Elephant Program.
[7] The United Republic of Tanzania, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.
[8] Trophy hunted: 2 super tuskers in Tanzania. Africa Geographic, 2024.
[9] Trophy hunted: 2 super tuskers in Tanzania. Africa Geographic, 2024.
[10] Tanzania: Poaching syndicate exposed, 2018.
[11] 40 year sentence for Thai Rhino poacher. Save the Rhino.