Hunting firms donate Sh60m to villages to conserve wildlife

Dar es Salaam. Four tourist hunting firms operating in the Selous Game Reserve yesterday donated Sh60 million to three villages located near the wildlife haven.

Tanganyika Wildlife Safari (Tawisa), Fereck Safari, Gerard Pasanisi Safari and Barlete Safaris jointly contributed Sh20 million to each of the three villages: Mpigamiti, Chimbuko and Ndapata in Liwale District, Lindi Region.

Speaking before handing over the cheques, Fereck Safari director Mwita Matiko said the donation was aimed at mobilising the villagers to participate in the fight against poaching.

“As a group of tourist hunting companies, we have an obligation to contribute to villages located near Selous Game Reserve to encourage them to realise the importance of wildlife conservation,” said Mr Mwita. The Tawisa Group of Companies had in March this year, donated a Sh200 million light aircraft for anti-poaching patrols in the reserve.

Gerard Pasanisi Safari director Andre Roux said it was important that hunting firms worked closely with villages towards the conservation of wildlife. “We need maximum assistance from all wildlife stakeholders, including villages adjacent to the game reserve, in the fight against poaching,” said Mr Roux.

The chairmen for Chimbuko and Ngapata villages, Mr Kindamba Kibongo and Mr Ally Ng’etu, respectively, and a representative from Mpigamiti Village, Mr Hemed Libihi, thanked the firms for the donation that they said will encourage the villages to protect wildlife.

They said the three villages with a total population of 7,850 people will work with the four hunting companies in ensuring that animals in the game reserve were protected.

In December, last year, Tawisa, Fereck Safari and Gerard Pasanisi Safari donated a total of Sh60 million to support wildlife conservation efforts to Mpigamiti and Ndapata villages and Utete Secondary School. Tawisa managing director Eric Pasanisi said it was the duty of hunting companies to help populations around game reserves, something that encouraged them to join forces in wildlife conservation.

Mr Benson Kibonde, a veteran wildlife conservationist and project manager for the reserve, thanked the three companies, saying the donation will help to protect wildlife in the game reserve.

Mr Kibonde thanked Tawisa for taking part in anti-poaching activities.