On Tanzania’s Independence Day, we take a look inside Mount Kilimanjaro, wildlife in the country and the impact of anti-poaching initiatives in the region.
Tanzania, an East African country, is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, a world recognized tourist destination. Standing at 19,340 feet, it is the biggest free standing mountain in the world. Six forest regions surround the mountain, with arctic, desert, bushland and heath environments. The forest regions are home to colorful wildlife such as the four-striped mouse, blue monkey, white-necked raven, giraffes, buffalo and others, totaling up to 154 species.
(Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro)
Ivory is used for adornments around the world. In 2015, it was worth $225 USD per kilogram. The price paid for this beautiful adornment is the lives of peaceful animals that can be found in different parts of the world, like Tanzania.
Due to the extensive poaching of elephants and rhinos, these animals have become extremely endangered around the world, including in Tanzania. The country became a target for poachers, who sought to profit off of selling ivory, which is made from the husks or teeth of elephants and rhino horns, which are used to make traditional medicine concoctions. In 2016, the Tanzanian government assembled an anti-poaching task force to address this issue. Their work has helped to raise the rhino and elephant population in the country.
In 2015 there were just 15 rhinos in the country. By 2019, the population rose to 167. Similarly, in 2014, there were 43,330 elephants in Tanzania, and by 2019, the number grew to 60,000. In addition to assembling the task force, the government has been cracking down on animal poachers, contributing to the demise of poaching in the country.
(An elephant in Serengeti, Tanzania)
One thing is for sure, the government is doing its part to protect the wildlife in the country and avoid an imbalance in the ecosystem. You can effect change in your communities by cutting bottle cap rings and recycling to slow down the effects of water pollution and its harm to sea animals.
Citations
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/kilimanjaro
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14095776
https://www.intelligentliving.co/tanzania-anti-poaching-elephant-rhino-populations-increase
https://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/blog/what-wild-animals-will-i-see-climbing-kilimanjaro
https://www.greenmatters.com/p/endangered-elephants-rhinos-in-tanzania-population
