In a major step to strengthen wildlife conservation and protect endangered species, the Government of Tanzania has received a consignment of modern equipment valued at TZS 240 million to bolster its fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
The equipment comprising 20 patrol motorcycles and 7 surveillance drones was handed over today, July 14, 2025, in Dodoma to the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) project.
“These tools will play a critical role in advancing our conservation mission, especially in controlling poaching and managing conflicts with wild and destructive animals,” said Dr. Chana at the handover ceremony. “I urge all conservation teams to put them to good use in safeguarding our natural heritage.”
She highlighted that the support aligns with broader government efforts to curb poaching, noting a significant rise in the elephant population from 43,000 in 2014 to over 60,000 in 2022 attributed to increased patrols, community involvement, and targeted interventions.
The equipment donation is part of the ongoing IWT project, which also focuses on capacity building and institutional strengthening.
According to Dr. Fortunata Msoffe, Acting Director of Wildlife at the Ministry, the project has helped improve operations of community-based patrol groups (TCGs), intelligence gathering, and cross-agency coordination among security and conservation bodies.
“It has further supported income-generating activities aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict, including beekeeping and the cultivation of crops that are not attractive to wild animals, with an emphasis on gender inclusion and community participation,” said Dr. Msoffe.
UNDP Country Representative Godfrey Mulisa praised the government's conservation efforts under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, noting that the sixth-phase administration has demonstrated strong commitment to tourism development and wildlife protection.
“This support reflects our confidence in the direction Tanzania is taking to promote sustainable tourism and eliminate illegal wildlife trade,” said Mulisa.
The government has committed to intensifying anti-poaching campaigns while enhancing local engagement and technological surveillance to protect Tanzania’s biodiversity.