2008 May | - Part 2

37 Thomson Gazelles killed by poachers

Category: Poachers | Date: May 01 2008 | By: Kimojino

At 3am Wednesday morning, rangers from Ngiro-are Outpost saw torches east of their post along the border, which was an obvious sign that poachers were hunting Thomson Gazelles.

The approach to the hunting area was difficult since it was very far and a vehicle must be used. Driving without lights on is not an easy tusk, because of the tall grass but it the was only option for these Rangers to make any formidable success. They left their base and drove slowly towards the poachers’ route, where on their way they met accidentally with another group of poachers who were heading back to the villages, carrying heavy loads of killed gazelles. Immediately a chase ensued and the Rangers managed to arrest one poacher but the rest disappeared into the dark.

Rangers at Ngiro-are

According to information from the arrested poacher, this group was nine and they had killed nine gazelles which were all collected by the Rangers. He further informed them of another different group of poachers which were still out hunting. This prompted the Rangers to design an ambush in a strategic location at the bottom of the escarpment, where they knew the poachers would pass and so arrests could be made. It was also a place where the poachers would arrive by dawn, and be more easily seen.

For sure the plan worked, and by 6.30am poachers were heard talking half a kilometre away and were heading straight towards the ambush. As they got closer, one of the dogs got the Rangers’ scent and barked, but before they realised the ambush Rangers charged and immediately caught two of the men. The rest of the Rangers kept the chase and later managed to arrest another three men, making a total of five arrested as well as recovering another 28 killed gazelles, bringing the total to 37 in just one night.

These poachers were aged between 17 and 35 years, hunting with more than 10 dogs, trained to catch the gazelles and also to run away when their owners do. One of the poachers arrested said that they wanted to take advantage of the incident on Monday when our ranger was shot, thinking that our men would be too scared to patrol.

That morning saw our men make an incredible success in arresting six poachers. They were all handed to the Tanzanian park authorities who took them to Tarime police station for prosecution. The gazelles were also taken as exhibits.

The months we are in now it is so difficult for the Conservancy to finance it’s crucial activities due to lack of funds. It is already the middle of the off season with very few tourist coming, which means no money. Despite all these problems, we are very thankful for your support and donations which we have received so far and has seen us through to this point.

Our appeals for help are as before, because things are becoming more and more difficult, and if support is not availed we risk loosing this precious park and it’s beautiful animals.