This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 17, 2019, Tanzanian Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources Dr. Hamisi Kigwangalla announced plans to auction off the country's hippos and 10% of its crocodiles.
The move is aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict, with the Minister stating that the animals have become a 'nuisance to the human population'.
Dr. Kigwangalla revealed that the sale will be public, with the government set to announce the auctioning process this week.
According to the Minister, his office has received numerous complaints from citizens living close to water bodies who have lost their lives or suffered life-threatening injuries due to the animals.
As a result, many have been forced to retaliate by killing the animals, an action which is against the law.
Dr. Kigwangalla urged the public to desist from harming the animals, but instead seek help from skilled rangers whose number has been increased in the affected areas to deal with the problem.
“Changamoto moja imezaliwa, wanyama wakali/waharibifu wamezidi na wanavamia maeneo ya watu. Tumeamua kuuza asilimia 10 ya mambo wote nchini. Aidha tutauza viboko wote waliopo kwenye maeneno yenye maji kama maziwa, mabwawa na mito iliyopo mijini. Mauzo ya wanyama hawa yatafanyika kwa njia ya mnada kwa utaratibu ambao utatangwa wiki ijao,” Dr. Kigwangalla tweeted on Saturday.
