Human cost of wildlife conservation in Tanzania

"It marks the entrance to the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Established in 2007, the Enduimet WMA lies adjacent to Kilimanjaro National Park and the Kenyan border. It involves 11 Maasai villages in a community-based system that has long been presented as a model of conservation in Tanzania. Under its rules, around 2533% of revenue from tourism and hunting goes directly to village members through an elected representative body, in contrast to the 3% allocated in game reserves."

"The incident broke an informal agreement that had stood for almost three decades, ensuring elephants' safe passage between Kenya and Tanzania. Kilombero North Safaris (KNS) is one of the companies that obtained hunting permits in the area. Among its clients is Rick Warren, the president-elect of the Dallas Safari Club in the US and a prominent figure within the Safari Club International trophy-hunting lobby. KNS organized the safari that killed at least two of the five elephants."

Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lies adjacent to Kilimanjaro National Park and the Kenyan border and was established in 2007. The WMA involves 11 Maasai villages in a community-based system that allocates around 2533% of tourism and hunting revenue directly to village members through an elected representative body, compared with 3% in game reserves. Between 2023 and 2024, burned remains of five "super tuskers," a critically rare elephant population numbering fewer than 30, were found in the area. A source who asked to remain anonymous said the animals were killed during trophy hunts authorized by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), and one elephant was only 30 years old. Kilombero North Safaris (KNS) obtained hunting permits for the area and organized a safari that killed at least two of the elephants. The incident reportedly broke a decades-long informal agreement allowing elephants safe passage between Kenya and Tanzania. TAWA did not respond to requests for comment.

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