Tanzania is among the few African nations that have managed to curb serious cases of rhino and elephant poaching. However, the country is currently facing another wildlife predicament: the giraffe. The national animal has just entered into illegal hunters’ manifest and is now under threat in the northern parts of Tanzania.

Recent investigations by InfoNile on wildlife crime in East Africa have revealed that the majestic giants are being hunted for bushmeat and animal fat. Their bone marrow is also wrongfully believed to have medical value, further driving up the demand. Giraffe flesh is becoming popular in black markets that trade in illegally acquired game meat.

Manyara Acting Regional Police Commander Limited Mohongole said that from January to March, 260 kilograms of giraffe meat were impounded. Cases of giraffe killings have been reported by the community in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in Northern Tanzania, especially within the two wildlife corridors of Mswakini and Kwakuchinja.

From the investigations, it is believed that villagers in the area collude with people from other regions in trapping and killing the giraffe, while crossing the Mswakini and Kwakuchinja wildlife corridors. Jeremiah Peter, a resident of Vilima Vitatu Village of Babati, said the giraffe killing spree started in January.

Village Executive Officer for Vilima-Vitatu, Seleman Juma, admits that poaching incidents are rife within the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA). His village is among the ten hamlets forming the Burunge Wildlife Management Area.

Increase of human activities in the area including farming, grazing, and building of houses further acts to camouflage some criminals who move into the precincts targeting wildlife.

Walter Pallangyo, the manager of Chemchem Conservancy, said the conservancy created a joint unit in January to fight poaching, involving wildlife rangers from Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) of Babati, the Chem-Chem Association, and Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.

Pallangyo reckons that a new, improved approach is required in order to effectively contain rising cases of illegal wildlife hunting and forest logging, as racketeers continue devising new styles.

Surge of illegal killings – local police

The Acting Manyara Regional Police Commander, Limited Mohongole, stated that between January and March there had been a surge of illegal killings of giraffes. 

“On the first day of February, for instance, two suspects riding on a motorbike were spotted in the Burunge area. When game scouts followed them, they ditched their motorcycle and sped off.”

According to the Police Commander, the bike, upon inspection, was found to be carrying bags of freshly extracted meat, weighing 176.5 kilograms, which was later discovered to be giraffe flesh.

Again on February 7th, a resident of Mamire, Idd Ally Idd was caught with a giraffe tail. Police are still investigating the case.

Later on March 27, another suspected motorbike rider ditched his vehicle and escaped after seeing game patrolling officers take an interest.

Sure enough, the rider was carrying nearly 83 kilograms of giraffe flesh.

The police are still searching for the suspect.

Government monitoring

The Babati District Commissioner, Lazaro Twange said the government was closely monitoring the developments by using detectives around the street.

“There have been arrests and in fact, some suspects are already facing court charges of obtained government trophies, number BAB/IR/435/2022,” he said.

Christopher Laizer, District Game Officer, added that his office will ensure that all court cases are handled properly and the accused face justice.

William Mwakilem, National Park’s Commissioner of Conservation says, “TANAPA will continue to work with local authorities and other security organs to ensure that such incidents are stopped."