JULIUS NYERERE DAY AND WORLD MARCH FOR ELEPHANTS AND RHINOS One of our volunteers and head instructor of our STEP (Serengeti Teacher Environmental Program) who has also begun a Tanzanian NGO called SERENGETI PRESERVATION FOUNDATION helped with others involved with SPF organized todays GLOBAL MARCH FOR ELEPHANTS AND RHINOS. While the organization that created the idea for the march had requested everyone do it on October 4, the Tanzanian group elected to wait and hold it on Julius Nyerere day - October 14. Julius Nyerere was Tanzanias first president and he evoked the Arusha Manifesto which stated: The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration, but are an integral part of our natural resources and our future livelihood and well being. In accepting the trusteeship of our wildlife we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to make sure that our childrens grand-children will be able to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance. The conservation of wildlife and wild places calls for specialist knowledge, trained manpower and money, and we look to other nations to co-operate with us in this important task - the success or failure of which not only affects the continent of Africa but the rest of the world as well. Julius K. Nyerere, Arusha Manifesto, 1961 The walk began with a speech by National Resources and Tourism minister Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu who spoke about Tanzanias determination to fight poaching and NO ivory trade. Approximately 2200 Tanzanias marched through Arusha to raise awareness for the plight of elephants. Tanzania has the dubious distinction of being the number one country in Africa for the poaching of elephants. Between 30-60 a day are being slaughtered for their ivory. The big tuskers are almost all gone, the poachers are resorted to killing even very young elephants. The price is around $1300 USD per lb. If the highway is put through, it will open a very pristine area of the Northern Serengeti, where at this time only a few strong hearted tourists venture because of the distance and bad roads. This area is prime habitat for elephants, as well as reintroduced Black Rhino (at the cost of several million dollars). This is also the place where the wildebeest mass up to cross to Kenya for their dry season grazing. Over 1.5 million animals are in this area twice a year. Scientists say even the BUILDING of the highway, let alone the highway itself will stop the migration and collapse the ecosystem. And of course good roads make it easier for poachers to get in and out quickly as we are seeing all over South Africa. We applaud those who took part in organizing and participating in the march, and we plead once again with the Tanzanian government to carry on Mwalimu Nyereres hope and desire to save the most precious wild areas and wildlife of Tanzania. IF WE CANT SAVE THE SERENGETI - WHAT CAN WE SAVE? Join the fight. Join Serengeti Watch. serengetiwatch
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:16:59 +0000
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