Conservationists, lions killings condemned

NGORONGORO: TANZANIA Conservation and Heritage Initiatives (TCHI) has condemned the killing of six frontline conservation personnel in Tabora Region and the suspected poisoning of ten lions in the Ndutu, within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, calling for thorough investigations and accountability in both incidents.

TCHI Chief Executive Officer, Mr Constantine Akitanda described the two incidents as a major setback to wildlife conservation and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible face justice.

“We mourn the six fallen guardians of Tabora and condemn the killing of ten lions in Ndutu. The investigation must be exhaustive, the answers must be public and justice must be served,” Mr Akitanda said in a press release issued yesterday.

The organisation also called for stronger protection for frontline conservation personnel and measures to curb retaliatory poisoning in protected areas.

Meanwhile, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has launched a forensic investigation after ten lions were found dead last Friday in Endulen Ward within the conservation area.

Acting NCAA Public Relations Manager, Hamis Dambaya said preliminary findings suggested the animals may have died after consuming poisoned bait, while laboratory and field investigations continue to establish the exact cause.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the animals may have been killed after consuming poisoned bait,” Mr Dambaya said in a statement released over the weekend.

He said the Authority would provide further details once the investigation is completed.

The lion deaths have renewed concerns over human-wildlife conflict in and around protected areas, where retaliatory poisoning remains one of the threats facing large carnivores.

Authorities have not established who was responsible for the deaths or whether the incident was linked to livestock losses or another form of conflict.

In a separate incident, six members of a wildlife enforcement team were killed and five others seriously injured during an attack inside Iswangala Wildlife Reserve in Sikonge District, Tabora Region.

Tabora Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Twaha Lulengelule said the attack occurred at about 2 am last Friday at a camp in Utimile Village, Nghoywa Ward, where officers were conducting an operation against illegal grazing inside the reserve.

“The attackers used traditional weapons against personnel stationed at the camp,” ACP Lulengelule said.

Those killed were identified as Village Game Scouts Daniel Mshama, 35, and Robert Charles, alias Msabaha, 36; Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) officer Gift Eliaika, 34; Wildlife Officer Praygod Lyalo, 38 and drivers James Maganga, alias Kisamba, 35 and Mathew Damasi, 35.

Five others, including TAWA officer Joseph Mwaipola, 43, sustained serious injuries.

Commander Lulengelule said the attackers also burned an AK-47 rifle and set fire to a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number T 623 AEV.

Police said preliminary investigations suggested the attackers were allegedly among livestock keepers attempting to recover cattle seized during the anti-grazing operation, adding that efforts to identify and arrest those responsible were continuing.

According to the 2024/25 National Wildlife Census released by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzania has an estimated 17,200 lions, including 5,844 in the Northern Tourism Circuit, which includes Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha national parks.