Tanzania’s Elephant Hunting Permits Draw Criticism from Kenya

Tensions rise as Tanzania issues three new elephant hunting permits, sparking outrage from Kenya, particularly regarding the preservation of rare « Super Tuskers » – majestic elephants with tusks weighing up to 45 kilograms.
For nearly thirty years, an agreement safeguarded these iconic creatures in the border region shared by Tanzania and Kenya. However, the recent issuance of hunting permits casts doubt on the sustainability of this pact. Joseph Ole Lenku, Governor of Kajiado County in Kenya, voiced profound concern, stating that the new permits only exacerbate anxiety about the future of these majestic animals. He urged Tanzanian authorities to reconsider their decisions.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Elephant Fund, reveals that there are only around ten « Super Tuskers » remaining in the border area between Kenya and Tanzania. The Big Life Foundation, a local NGO, confirms that the three elephants recently hunted in Tanzania were among these rare specimens, known for their tusks exceeding 45 kilograms.
The disappearance of nearly two-thirds of « Super Tuskers » in just eight years raises alarms, not only for their survival but also for biodiversity at large. At a time when Africa’s protected areas witnessed a 60% decline in large mammal populations between 1970 and 2005, the practice of elephant hunting prompts fundamental questions.
While hunters often cite financial contributions to reserve management and species preservation, these justifications are challenged by instances of corruption and poaching, particularly in Tanzania. Reports from 2016 revealed foreign hunters using Kalashnikovs to shoot pregnant elephants, contributing to a drastic decline in elephant numbers in reserves like Selous, where populations plummeted by almost two-thirds in just eight years.
The issuance of elephant hunting permits raises profound ethical and conservation concerns, highlighting the urgent need for responsible wildlife management practices.
Fanta Mabo