10 Elephants collared and 3 rangers’ posts being built to avert human-wildlife conflict in Meatu
A total of 10 elephants roaming in the wilderness of Meatu have been belted with GPS collars for real time satellite tracking and monitoring, being one of the steps undertaken to curb the rising cases of human-wildlife conflict in the area.
The Friedkin Conservation Fund reportedly invested USD 88,000 (over 232 million/- Tanzanian shillings) for this initiative alone.
Aurelia Mtui, who is the Project Manager of Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF), said the exercise was executed through the Mwiba Holdings establishment which runs conservation and tourism activities in Meatu.
In addition, FCF is working with the government to establish a number of rangers’ posts in the wilderness of Meatu District in Bariadi region, for the sole purpose of addressing Human-Wildlife conflicts in the precinct.
One of the facilities built by the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) in association with Tanzania Game Trackers Safaris (TGTS), was recently inaugurated by the Meatu District Administration Officer, Eliasa Mtalawanje.
It was constructed at the cost of USD 49,000 (equivalent to 129.9 million/-) in the Ng’hanga village striding the Maswa Game Reserve which borders the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Makao Wildlife Area and part of the Serengeti National Park.
Living and working within areas filled with almost all species of wildlife usually result in significant issues for people in remote, rural areas striding Game Reserves or National Parks.
Among the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF)’s missions therefore is assisting the local communities to live in harmony with nature and share in the economic and environmental benefits of protecting the ecosystems, so that people and wildlife should not only coexist, but thrive alongside each other.
Recently the Member of Parliament for Kisesa constituency, Luhaga Mpina, raised the issue of increasing cases of Human-Wildlife Conflict in his prefecture, especially those involving elephants invading farms and residential areas, where the jumbos have been causing destruction.
But the Chairperson of Meatu Council, Anthony Philipo pointed out that problems associated with elephants have declined after the jumbos got collared for easy tracking and monitoring.
Philipo lauded the conservation entities of Mwiba, FCF and TGTS for their community services in the area including funding school meals to ensure children enjoy their time in class.
At Mshikamano B Primary School, for instance 427 out of 1,022 pupils receive midday meals.
At Makao Primary School, a total of 856 pupils benefit from free meals provided daily through a project funded by the Friedkin Conservation Fund via Mwiba Holdings Limited at the cost of 20.5million/- per month.
The FCF has also constructed a modern kitchen for the school at a cost of 28.1million/- and implemented a rainwater harvesting project valued at 30.8million/-.