SADC delegates awestruck by Tarangire wonder

DELEGATES attending the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum were at the weekend treated to a rare nature spectacle of an elephant mother nursing her two calves.

The delegates, mostly comprised of lawmakers and Speakers of SADC National Assemblies, took some time away and decided to visit Tarangire National Park to sample the tourist attraction, after a busy week in Arusha town.

The entourage was forced to stop as the lawmakers panned the smartphones and cameras to capture the rare spectacle on Saturday.

Commenting on such a sighting, a conservation ranger with Tarangire National Park Ally Omar Abel said it was uncommon for elephants to give births to twin calves.

“Elephant twins comprise less than one per cent of elephant births worldwide and are often stillborn or are too weak to survive after birth,” he revealed.

According to the conservation ranger, elephant twins were extremely rare and often stillborn, and the mother sometimes dies in the process.

“This was the first time we’ve witnessed such an event in the park,” he said.

Mr Abel was equally delighted over the delegates’ reaction upon having an up and close experience of such a spectacle.

The conservation ranger oozed confidence that such a sighting will further reinforce Tarangire’s reputation as an elephant paradise.

Spanning over 2,600 square kilometres, Tarangire National Park is known for its abundant elephant population and the occasional birth of twin calves.

For his part, Head of the delegation from Angola, Mr Pedro Sebastian, singled out praise on Tanzania for its warm hospitality and acknowledged the country’s commitment to conservation.

He highlighted the joy experienced by the delegates in exploring the flora and fauna of the Tarangire.

“It was a pleasant surprise to encounter a variety of wild animals and birds within just five kilometres from the main gate,” expressed the delighted delegate.

Mr Sebastian emphasised that the awe-inspiring sights of Tarangire had not only pleased him but also the other delegates.

“It is worth seeing how serious Tanzania is with conservation, mindful of the fortunes it brings to the economy,” he added.

Last week, SADC member states unanimously endorsed Dr Tulia Ackson as the regional economic bloc’s main candidate for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Presidential post.

The charismatic speaker will lead 189 Parliaments across the world, once elected.