Plans afoot to revive monkey, baboon trade

DODOMA: THE government has finalised plans to revive commercial business in baboons and monkeys, with aim to reduce their numbers in residential areas across the country and generate revenue.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji spoke of the plan during her recent four-day tour of the region, where she visited all the eight councils and inspected ongoing projects.

“The government is weighing the potential of overturning a 2016 ban on the export and trade of live wild animals. Instead of killing these baboons and monkeys, they can be sold to generate income and address the concerns raised by our citizens,’’ she noted.

Authorities estimate that the country failed to collect approximately one billion US dollars in potential revenue from foreign buyers during the ban period.

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Officials argue that a regulated revival of the trade could ease intensifying conflicts between people and wildlife while generating significant revenue for communities and the state.

Incidents of wildlife encroaching on human settlements have become more frequent, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

Dr Kijaji also announced that the government will deploy drones in controlling stray elephants that have been causing harm to people across the country.

“People who lost their properties including relatives, will get compensation,’’ she said adding that the payments were being channeled through their bank accounts or mobile phones.

“Each person should ensure that his/her bank account or mobile phone is active to facilitate the payments,’’ Dr Kijaji said.

Available data indicate that about 69 families at Kibirizi Ward lost their relatives due to jumbos’ invasion. Out of them, about 23 citizens had already been paid compensation, while 46 others will get the payments soon.

Dr Kijaji said the government was planning to add more vehicles and employment of more staff in the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and Tanzania Forests Services (TFS), while plans were being finalised to construct special centres for controlling stray elephants.