The Same District authorities in Kilimanjaro Region will launch a seven-day operation on October 26 to drive away elephants and other dangerous wildlife invading settlements and farms, injuring residents and destroying crops.
The operation will be conducted jointly by the district government and conservation agencies, including Mkomazi National Park, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS).
Speaking on Sunday, October 25, Same District Commissioner Kasilda Mgeni said four teams had been formed to cover Kisiwani, Ndungu, Makanya, Hedaru, Njiro and Ruvu, areas that have experienced frequent elephant invasions. She said the operation aimed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, improve public safety and enable residents to carry out their daily activities without fear of attacks or crop losses.
‘The problem has become serious in our district. Residents are being injured and their crops destroyed, so the government must address these concerns, as directed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan,’ she said.
Mgeni urged residents to cooperate with the teams and said they would also receive education on how to protect themselves from dangerous wildlife.
Mkomazi National Park chief warden Eva Mallya said the teams would use drones and vehicles to track and drive the animals away from inhabited areas.
‘We will conduct this exercise carefully and in collaboration with residents. I urge everyone to cooperate when the operation reaches their areas,’ she said.
TAWA commander responsible for the Ruvu-Same, Kalimawe and Mto Umba game-controlled areas, Lackson Mwamwezi, said the teams would be deployed across four zones.
The first team will cover Maore Ward, including Kisiwani and Ndungu; the second will serve Makanya and Hedaru; the third will operate in Njoro; and the fourth will cover Ruvu.
Mwamwezi said the operation’s success would depend on cooperation between residents and conservation officials, alongside public education on preventing attacks and other risks posed by wildlife.