Tanzania resorts to forensic science in renewed anti-poaching drive

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, in collaboration with the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA), has established joint strategies to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade by utilizing the Wildlife Forensic Science Laboratory to conduct professional examinations of wildlife trophies.

This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and speed of wildlife trophy investigations and to provide solid scientific evidence in court against suspects involved in poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking.

Speaking in Dodoma during a working session that brought together experts from the Ministry and GCLA, the Director of Protection Forces Coordination (SACC), Fidelis Kapalata on behalf of the Director of Wildlife stated that the completion of the wildlife DNA identification laboratory is a significant step toward ensuring scientific evidence is available in poaching cases.

“The completion of the wildlife DNA identification laboratory is a crucial step in case investigations and in obtaining solid evidence against poaching suspects,” Kapalata emphasized.

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On his part, the Government Chemist, Dr. Fidelice Mafumiko, noted that the use of modern DNA analysis technology will greatly enhance the protection of wildlife resources by providing scientific evidence against illegally obtained government trophies.

“The Government Chemist Laboratory Authority will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism by offering training to legal officers to build capacity in collecting wildlife trophy samples starting from the point of seizure,” said Dr. Mafumiko.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to protect and conserve wildlife resources for the benefit of present and future generations and to expedite the prosecution of poaching cases once they are brought before the courts.