Suspected Poachers Caught in Tanzania

Source: Xinhua Net

Source: Macau Business

Three men suspected of poaching were detained in the Manyara region of Tanzania on Friday, March 10. They were in possession of six elephant tusks according to the regional police. 

Tanzania has seen some of the worst elephant poaching operations, losing approximately 60,000 of its elephants to poachers between 2009 and 2014. 

Fortunately, this has led to the formation of the National Taskforce on Anti-Poaching (NTAP) which is responsible for over 2,300 arrests in those five years. NTAP “unites the wildlife and security sectors to target criminal networks,” and has taken down several large crime syndicates. 

A leader of one of these organized ivory trafficking syndicate lost a criminal appeal in Tanzania in 2021. Yang Fenglan was convicted of leading a trafficking ring involving 860 elephant tusks, valued at $6 million. 

Ivory is still in high demand in Asia despite the ivory trade being halted. Poaching often occurs in places with few economic opportunities. Groups like The Elephant Project work to develop humane economies in countries with elephant populations so citizens have better economic opportunities and are less likely to turn to poaching. 

Want to advocate for elephants?

Elephant advocates can donate to The Elephant Project or support other anti-poaching organizations in Tanzania, like Honeyguide, which gives communities tools to promote conservation efforts.