Humans, climate changes threaten black rhino, gorilla survival

BLACK rhinos, gorillas and wild dogs are in danger of extinction, Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) has cautioned.

TANAPA Acting Director General Mtango Mtahiko cited human acts and effects of climate change as among the factors forcing animals to move to places where they die due to lack of their basic needs. Speaking at a three-day workshop for Kilimanjaro journalists, Mr Mtahiko said wild animals’ survivals depend on national parks but climate changes that harm humans affect the wild animals as well.

He encouraged citizens to conserve the environment and save animals’ lives lest the country loses its wild endowment. Mr Mtahiko also cautioned that natural vegetations are hard o restore once destroyed. He said environmental conversation is important for tourism, agriculture, water availability as well as ensuring regular rains, arguing that it was against such background Tanzania allocated some places for national parks and reserved lands.

“The government allocated 28 per cent of the country’s land for national reserves; during independence there were only one national park in the country – Serengeti but today there are 16. We also have game reserves that are not under TANAPA. We should always protect all these resources,” said Mr Mtahiko.

He said citizens can help conservation by volunteering information about people who tamper with animals or encroach in the reserved areas. Kilimanjaro National Park Chief Park Warden Betrita Loibooki said environmental degradation affects ecology and harm living things.

She said that Kinapa was doing its best to restore natural vegetation around Mount Kilimanjaro, which is of great importance to humans and other living things. She said that is being done amid challenges like difficult working conditions due to some places in the park being not easily accessible.

The other challenge is interference between people and wild animals, especially in Siha and Rombo districts where destruction of natural resources is high. TANAPA Public Relations Manager, Mr Pascal Shelutete said journalists are part of TANAPA working team and that the workshop aimed at building capacity of journalists in executing their duties, especially on reporting national parks and tourism issues.