Felling giants: trophy hunters are wiping out Kenya-Tanzania super tuskers
Valtino Omolo, Intern, East Africa Peace Security and Governance Project,
and Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT
September 23, 2024
See link
https://enactafrica.org/enact-observer/felling-giants-trophy-hunters-are-wiping-out-kenya-tanzania-super-tuskers
for infograf.
Despite their declining numbers, super tuskers – bull elephants with tusks
weighing over 45 kg each – are being slaughtered by international sport
hunters in the Amboseli ecosystem, which stretches along the Kenya-Tanzania
border.
This hunting is licensed by Tanzania, despite a 1995 agreement between the
two countries prohibiting borderland hunting after four Amboseli elephants
were killed in 1994.
There are fewer than 30 super tuskers remaining worldwide, with only 10
left in the Amboseli ecosystem. This means super tuskers are on the brink
of extinction both regionally and globally. Their vulnerability to
extinction is exacerbated by the fact that they are often killed in their
prime reproductive years. Males aged 40-54, known to have the largest
tusks, have the highest reproductive success.
There are fewer than 30 super tuskers remaining worldwide – in the Amboseli
ecosystem, there are only 10
In March this year, Joseph Ole Lenku, Governor of Kenya’s Kajiado County,
raised concerns over three super tuskers killed within the Amboseli
ecosystem. Five have also reportedly been killed so far this year in
Tanzania’s Enduimet area, around 40 km from the Kenya-Tanzania border. The
elephants were part of a 2 000-strong herd that traverse Kenya’s Amboseli
National Park and Tanzania’s Enduimet Conservation Area.
These borderland jumbos frequently cross the Kenya-Tanzania border to
forage for food, exposing them to conflicting conservation jurisdictions.
This is according to Big Life Foundation Executive Chair Richard Bonham and
Dr Paula Kahumbu, Chief Executive of WildlifeDirect, a Kenyan conservation
NGO.
Trophy hunting in Tanzania is governed by clearly outlined regulations. The
Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority specifies that hunting is only
permitted between 1 July and 31 December. The regulations also highlight
that hunters need to present proof of their kill afterwards, in the form of
skin, hooves and other non-edible animal parts.
Trophy hunters in Tanzania reportedly pay between US$10 000 and $20 000 for
an opportunity to hunt super tuskers. Although the government issues these
permits, many licensed hunters do not adhere to the regulations that
control the permits, leading to their misuse.
The most recent super tusker killings show a clear violation of Tanzania’s
hunting regulations. Not only were the elephants hunted outside the
permitted hunting period, but their carcasses were also intentionally burnt
beyond identification. These breaches point to non-compliance and
inadequate regulation oversight, casting doubt on trophy hunting
transparency.
Flouting these regulations follows the lifting of a ban on hunting for
trophies and bush meat in 2018. This ban was initially imposed in 2015 to
halt the abuse and misuse of hunting permits. In 2022, Tanzania’s Tourism
Minister Damas Ndumbaro travelled to Las Vegas to market the country’s
hunting safaris at an annual convention. The tour marketed the country’s
hunting blocks to wealthy American tourists and other trophy-hunting
investors.
Both actions have since laid a solid foundation for the expansion of trophy
hunting in Tanzania, notwithstanding concerns over non-compliance with the
established regulations.
The recent incidents have also raised concerns about a resurgence of
criminal activity in the trophy-hunting industry. Of particular concern is
the potential participation of criminal syndicates within the wildlife
sector, as was the case in 2018 when Tanzania’s trophy hunting industry was
implicated in wildlife trafficking. This mainly involved ‘pseudo-hunting’ –
a practice whereby trophy hunting is used to cover up illegal activities
such as wildlife trafficking or poaching.
At the time, trophy hunts served as a ruse for acquiring and exporting
valuable parts of protected animals for illegal trade. Former tourism
minister Hamisi Kigwangalla accused hunting operators of being involved in
poaching, illegally exporting ivory and having ties to the now-arrested
‘Ivory Queen’, Yang Fenglan. But the involvement of government officials in
this illegal trade also highlighted the role of corruption in the wildlife
sector.
While trophy hunting has economic benefits for Tanzania, the risk
associated with pseudo-hunting has negative consequences. The Tanzanian
government and relevant stakeholders must take decisive action to protect
the region’s rich biodiversity. This is especially critical given that
Tanzania lost 60% of its elephants in just five years leading up to 2014,
though their numbers have since partially recovered.
There is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to enhance transparency
and accountability in advancing wildlife and conservation efforts. Tanzania
could draw from the good practices implemented by regional neighbours,
South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Kenya’s stringent wildlife protection laws and its use of monitoring
technology demonstrate the importance of a strong legal framework and
real-time data access. Zimbabwe’s quota system emphasises the value of
scientifically determined quotas and species-specific protections. And
South Africa advocates for ‘sustainable hunting practices’ that seek to
protect elephants within reproductive ages. Together, these approaches
ensure sustainable hunting practices and protect endangered species.
Additionally, the implementation of independent oversight mechanisms is
crucial. Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Kenya’s
Wildlife Service provide effective models for monitoring and enforcing
regulations. By adopting such approaches, countries can ensure that
conservation efforts are transparent and effective, leading to better
wildlife protection and more sustainable management of hunting activities.
Curbing wildlife trafficking disguised as trophy hunting also requires
cooperation between the countries, including intelligence and resource
sharing, to jointly address the activities of wildlife criminal syndicates.
The likely involvement of corrupt government officials underscores the need
for increased vigilance amid the ongoing and targeted hunting of super
tusker elephants.
Conservation scientists have appealed to Tanzanian authorities to recognise
the immense socio-ecological value that cross-border elephants provide the
Amboseli and Enduimet ecosystems, and cooperate with counterparts in Kenya
to protect this giant of Africa.
https://enactafrica.org/enact-observer/felling-giants-trophy-hunters-are-wiping-out-kenya-tanzania-super-tuskers
Felling giants: trophy hunters are wiping out Kenya-Tanzania super tuskers
Valtino Omolo, Intern, East Africa Peace Security and Governance Project,
and Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT
September 23, 2024
See link
<https://enactafrica.org/enact-observer/felling-giants-trophy-hunters-are-wiping-out-kenya-tanzania-super-tuskers>
for infograf.
Despite their declining numbers, super tuskers – bull elephants with tusks
weighing over 45 kg each – are being slaughtered by international sport
hunters in the Amboseli ecosystem, which stretches along the Kenya-Tanzania
border.
This hunting is licensed by Tanzania, despite a 1995 agreement between the
two countries prohibiting borderland hunting after four Amboseli elephants
were killed in 1994.
There are fewer than 30 super tuskers remaining worldwide, with only 10
left in the Amboseli ecosystem. This means super tuskers are on the brink
of extinction both regionally and globally. Their vulnerability to
extinction is exacerbated by the fact that they are often killed in their
prime reproductive years. Males aged 40-54, known to have the largest
tusks, have the highest reproductive success.
There are fewer than 30 super tuskers remaining worldwide – in the Amboseli
ecosystem, there are only 10
In March this year, Joseph Ole Lenku, Governor of Kenya’s Kajiado County,
raised concerns over three super tuskers killed within the Amboseli
ecosystem. Five have also reportedly been killed so far this year in
Tanzania’s Enduimet area, around 40 km from the Kenya-Tanzania border. The
elephants were part of a 2 000-strong herd that traverse Kenya’s Amboseli
National Park and Tanzania’s Enduimet Conservation Area.
These borderland jumbos frequently cross the Kenya-Tanzania border to
forage for food, exposing them to conflicting conservation jurisdictions.
This is according to Big Life Foundation Executive Chair Richard Bonham and
Dr Paula Kahumbu, Chief Executive of WildlifeDirect, a Kenyan conservation
NGO.
Trophy hunting in Tanzania is governed by clearly outlined regulations. The
Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority specifies that hunting is only
permitted between 1 July and 31 December. The regulations also highlight
that hunters need to present proof of their kill afterwards, in the form of
skin, hooves and other non-edible animal parts.
Trophy hunters in Tanzania reportedly pay between US$10 000 and $20 000 for
an opportunity to hunt super tuskers. Although the government issues these
permits, many licensed hunters do not adhere to the regulations that
control the permits, leading to their misuse.
The most recent super tusker killings show a clear violation of Tanzania’s
hunting regulations. Not only were the elephants hunted outside the
permitted hunting period, but their carcasses were also intentionally burnt
beyond identification. These breaches point to non-compliance and
inadequate regulation oversight, casting doubt on trophy hunting
transparency.
Flouting these regulations follows the lifting of a ban on hunting for
trophies and bush meat in 2018. This ban was initially imposed in 2015 to
halt the abuse and misuse of hunting permits. In 2022, Tanzania’s Tourism
Minister Damas Ndumbaro travelled to Las Vegas to market the country’s
hunting safaris at an annual convention. The tour marketed the country’s
hunting blocks to wealthy American tourists and other trophy-hunting
investors.
Both actions have since laid a solid foundation for the expansion of trophy
hunting in Tanzania, notwithstanding concerns over non-compliance with the
established regulations.
The recent incidents have also raised concerns about a resurgence of
criminal activity in the trophy-hunting industry. Of particular concern is
the potential participation of criminal syndicates within the wildlife
sector, as was the case in 2018 when Tanzania’s trophy hunting industry was
implicated in wildlife trafficking. This mainly involved ‘pseudo-hunting’ –
a practice whereby trophy hunting is used to cover up illegal activities
such as wildlife trafficking or poaching.
At the time, trophy hunts served as a ruse for acquiring and exporting
valuable parts of protected animals for illegal trade. Former tourism
minister Hamisi Kigwangalla accused hunting operators of being involved in
poaching, illegally exporting ivory and having ties to the now-arrested
‘Ivory Queen’, Yang Fenglan. But the involvement of government officials in
this illegal trade also highlighted the role of corruption in the wildlife
sector.
While trophy hunting has economic benefits for Tanzania, the risk
associated with pseudo-hunting has negative consequences. The Tanzanian
government and relevant stakeholders must take decisive action to protect
the region’s rich biodiversity. This is especially critical given that
Tanzania lost 60% of its elephants in just five years leading up to 2014,
though their numbers have since partially recovered.
There is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to enhance transparency
and accountability in advancing wildlife and conservation efforts. Tanzania
could draw from the good practices implemented by regional neighbours,
South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Kenya’s stringent wildlife protection laws and its use of monitoring
technology demonstrate the importance of a strong legal framework and
real-time data access. Zimbabwe’s quota system emphasises the value of
scientifically determined quotas and species-specific protections. And
South Africa advocates for ‘sustainable hunting practices’ that seek to
protect elephants within reproductive ages. Together, these approaches
ensure sustainable hunting practices and protect endangered species.
Additionally, the implementation of independent oversight mechanisms is
crucial. Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Kenya’s
Wildlife Service provide effective models for monitoring and enforcing
regulations. By adopting such approaches, countries can ensure that
conservation efforts are transparent and effective, leading to better
wildlife protection and more sustainable management of hunting activities.
Curbing wildlife trafficking disguised as trophy hunting also requires
cooperation between the countries, including intelligence and resource
sharing, to jointly address the activities of wildlife criminal syndicates.
The likely involvement of corrupt government officials underscores the need
for increased vigilance amid the ongoing and targeted hunting of super
tusker elephants.
Conservation scientists have appealed to Tanzanian authorities to recognise
the immense socio-ecological value that cross-border elephants provide the
Amboseli and Enduimet ecosystems, and cooperate with counterparts in Kenya
to protect this giant of Africa.
https://enactafrica.org/enact-observer/felling-giants-trophy-hunters-are-wiping-out-kenya-tanzania-super-tuskers