Conservationists demand end to Elephant trophy hunting in Tanzania

This follows Tanzanian authorities' decision to issue hunting permits for super Tuskers in the Greater Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro elephant population. 

Five were targeted, hunted, and killed by trophy hunters in Northern Tanzania over the last eight months. More permits are set to be issued imminently.

Hunting is still legal in Tanzania, where hunting companies obtain licences on behalf of clients, despite Kenya's 1977 ban.

Trophy hunters are targeting the last ten remaining Amboseli Super Tuskers as they cross the Kenya-Tanzania border. 

Despite an agreed-upon moratorium on trophy hunting between Kenya and Tanzania since 1995, the Tanzanian government has renewed licences to kill members of this cross-border elephant population.

While elephant management in Tanzania is recognised as the Tanzanian government's sovereign duty, scientists reminded the two leaders that this population is shared and has been protected for three decades through a bilateral agreement.

“The loss of these elephants is not just a blow to elephant populations but to our collective efforts in conservation,” said Dr. Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.

Until 2023, there had been a 30 year period of no elephant hunting incidences reported. The recent hunting wave was triggered by a new quota that was issued in 2022 to Kilombero North Safaris. 

The last unfortunate super tusker hunting incidence had been in 1994 leading to an international outcry when four well known elephants (RBG, Sleepy, Saibulu, and Oloitipitip), subjects of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, were shot by trophy hunters on the Tanzanian side of the border. 

“The recent killings of super-tuskers is particularly concerning due to the rarity and special role these older males play in elephant society,” stated Dr. Joyce Poole, Scientific Director of Elephant Voices.

The petition, which was posted on the international campaign site Avaaz, received support from a coalition of more than 50 African conservation organisations.  The consortium called on Tanzanian authorities to collaborate with their Kenyan counterparts to protect this shared natural heritage.

Dr. Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect, stated, "We urge President Ruto of Kenya and President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania to meet and agree on the enormous scientific and economic value of protecting these cross-border elephants. 

The long-term advantages of ecotourism, science, and conservation far outweigh the short-term gains of trophy hunting in a single country." 

The petition also highlights unethical hunting practices, including use of helicopters to locate elephants and the burning or burying of carcasses to conceal evidence.