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| Tato Chairman Wilbard Chambulo. Photo: Courtesy |
By Adonis Byemelwa, Arusha
The
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) is calling on tourism
stakeholders to support conservation initiatives aimed at preserving the
Serengeti ecosystem.
Addressing industry leaders at a recent
gathering in Arusha on November 4, 2024, Tato Chairman Wilbard Chambulo urged
tour operators to contribute $1 per tourist brought to Serengeti National Park,
a modest fee that could significantly boost anti-poaching efforts in the
region.
“My
request is simple yet profound—contribute just one dollar for every visitor,”
Chambulo said. “This small contribution will support our de-snaring initiative,
which combats a growing poaching threat to the Serengeti’s wildlife.”
The
appeal comes amid renewed concerns over poaching in the Serengeti. Once limited
to subsistence, poaching has now become a large-scale, commercial enterprise
threatening Tanzania’s flagship national park after a decade of relative calm.
Serengeti’s wildlife—home to elephants, wildebeests, and apex predators—is
increasingly endangered by snares, which, although aimed at smaller animals,
also trap other species.
The
de-snaring program, established in 2017 through a public-private partnership
involving Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa), the Frankfurt Zoological Society
(FZS), and private tourism investors, has mobilized reformed poachers to remove
these traps. Since its inception, the program’s teams have dismantled thousands
of snares, freeing hundreds of animals.
However,
sustaining and expanding this essential initiative requires ongoing financial
support from those who benefit most from Serengeti’s biodiversity. Chambulo
expressed frustration at the reluctance of some large-scale investors who
profit from Tanzania’s natural beauty but contribute little toward
conservation.
“We
inherited this land from our ancestors; what legacy are we leaving for our
children and future generations?” he asked.
Chambulo
emphasized that tour operators, whose businesses rely on Serengeti’s natural
wonders, play an integral role in conservation. By supporting these
initiatives, they protect the wildlife while ensuring the long-term viability
of their industry.
“Tanzania’s
tour operators are crucial in preserving Serengeti’s fragile ecosystem. Their
contributions can help extend the de-snaring program, safeguarding the park as
a haven for its iconic species,” Chambulo stated.
Tato,
which represents over 300 private tour operators across Tanzania, advocates for
sustainable tourism and conservation. Tanzania’s breathtaking
destinations—including the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and
Ngorongoro Crater—draw visitors from around the world, making responsible
tourism practices essential to preserving these attractions.
Elirehema
Maturo, Tato’s Executive Director, added that the organization works to
strengthen the connection between Tanzania’s tourism industry and the
conservation of wildlife, climate resilience, and cultural preservation.
“Tour
operators curate life-changing safaris and challenging mountain climbs, and
through these experiences, they bear a responsibility to protect the treasures
that draw travelers here,” Maturo explained.
Through
Chambulo’s appeal and Tato’s ongoing advocacy, conservationists hope the
tourism industry will take on a legacy of stewardship for the Serengeti,
ensuring that Tanzania’s unique ecosystems are preserved for future
generations.