Collaboration, Capacity-Building and Conservation in East Africa: Rangers Trained on Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
Collaboration, Capacity-Building and Conservation in East Africa: Rangers
Trained on Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
CITES
March 28, 2025
See link
https://cites.org/eng/news/cites-mike-programme-training-of-trainers-initiative-collaboration-in-tanzania-2025
for photo.
Singida, 28 March 2025 – The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
Programme of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES MIKE Programme), in collaboration with the
College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), Mweka, recently conducted a
two-week training programme at Rungwa Game Reserve in Singida Region,
United Republic of Tanzania.
This Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative was designed to equip rangers
with the expertise to apply their knowledge in the field while also
enabling them to train and mentor other rangers in their respective
conservation areas. Generously funded by the European Union under the
MIKES+ project which builds on successful previous CITES MIKE projects
implemented in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) range States.
The initiative brought together wildlife rangers from five East African
elephant range States, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the
United Republic of Tanzania. Its primary purpose was to strengthen the
skills and knowledge of rangers in combating wildlife crime, with a
specific emphasis on elephant mortality data collection and reporting as
well as introducing them to crime scene management techniques.
This training builds on similar initiatives previously implemented in
Southern and Central Africa, bringing together rangers from both regions in
partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) and the
Garoua Wildlife College in Cameroon. It strives to foster collaboration and
strengthen data-driven conservation efforts across the region’s elephant
range States.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “Well-trained and
well-equipped rangers are the backbone of elephant conservation efforts. By
strengthening their capacity to monitor and respond to threats, we are not
only enhancing data-driven decision-making but also reinforcing the
frontline defense against wildlife crime. This training initiative
exemplifies the power of regional collaboration in ensuring the survival of
the species for future generations.”
*A Combination of Theory and Practical Training *
In the classroom, rangers engaged in interactive sessions covering key
aspects of wildlife monitoring and conservation. Each lesson was followed
by a recap session, allowing trainees to reinforce their learning before
moving on to new topics. Rangers were trained on the objectives of the
CITES MIKE Programme, highlighting their critical role in the
decision-making process and the importance of accurately collecting data
when an elephant carcass is found. This data includes the type and cause of
death, detection method, age and sex of the elephant before death and the
presence or absence of tusks. Participants also engaged in practical
exercises to ensure they could collect this information systematically
using standardized protocols and apply crime scene management techniques to
preserve evidence for court proceedings.
For over 20 years, rangers across Africa and Asia have been collecting
elephant mortality data in the field, providing CITES Parties with valuable
insights into the conservation status of African and Asian elephants. The
CITES MIKE Programme serves also as a critical database for conservation
areas, supporting the development of effective anti-poaching strategies and
improving site management. Beyond tracking poaching trends, MIKE data also
plays a key role in identifying emerging threats, such as human-elephant
conflict (HEC) and the impacts of climate change on elephant populations.
"This training has been an eye-opening experience," said Lucy Tisa, a Kenya
Wildlife Service ranger. "It has given us valuable skills to monitor and
protect elephant populations in our home countries. We are grateful for the
opportunity to learn and collaborate with fellow rangers from across the
region."
*Strengthening Collaboration for Future Conservation Efforts *
The success of the training highlights the importance of continued
collaboration between conservation organizations and well-established
ranger training institutions, such as CAWM, which is widely recognized for
its expertise in conservation training in the East Africa region.
This approach aligns with the CITES MIKE Programme's sustainability vision,
which seeks to integrate MIKE training into ranger training institutions,
enabling them to independently deliver the training to their students and
visiting rangers. By transferring these skills, the Programme not only
expands its reach—ensuring more conservationists are equipped with
essential expertise in monitoring the illegal killing of elephants—but also
strengthens local capacity. Leveraging their deep understanding of regional
challenges, this approach enhances the long-term effectiveness of the
Programme, enhanced efforts to combat wildlife crime and strengthened
conservation of Africa’s elephant populations.