ALLEGATIONS ON INCREASE OF POACHING IN RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Of recent there have been some serious allegations from PAMS Foundation, a conservation organization accusing Tanzania National Parks for failing to properly protect our wildlife resources particularly in Ruaha National Park. Various emails and letters from PAMS Foundation have been circulated into various media houses both locally and internationally as well as some international organizations such as Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Of recent there have been some serious allegations from PAMS Foundation, a conservation organization The allegations include the increase of brutal killings of elephants in Ruaha National Park especially after the PAMS Foundation was prevented from continuing their anti-poaching work in the park. PAMS Foundation further alleged that since the organization was banned from the park, there have been reports of shooting heard in different areas by day and night. Also that a tourist and a guide recently spotted 12 poachers with guns inside the park.

Tanzania National Parks would like to publicly deny and clarify on the allegations leveled against it as follows;
Firstly, Protection of wildlife resources activities in the Ruaha National Park is still in good order and that available statistics indicates a tremendous 56 percent decrease of poaching incidences as opposed to the allegations whereby a total of 36 elephants were killed in the year 2013/2014 compared to 82 elephants in the year 2012/2013.

Secondly, as of now two Rapid Response Team trainings for our park rangers have taken place in the park with the third one in progress. The training has helped much to strengthening law enforcement in the park because the trainees are required to conduct practical patrols in to various areas of the park to combat poaching.
Thirdly, PAMS Foundation was prevented from doing anti-poaching activities in the park including organizing trainings to park rangers after failing to win a tender which was advertised by United Nations Development Program.
In view of the above, Tanzania National Parks would like the public to be aware of these false allegations leveled against TANAPA, and that we are working hard to ensure that our main objective of protecting the wildlife and other natural resources in the parks is attained. TANAPA has already started initiatives of taking legal action against PAMS Foundation following their practice, which is threatening the security of our national parks.

Issued by Corporate Communications Department
Tanzania National Parks
28th August, 2014