US BILLIONAIRE JOINS ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (in a combat) together with Howard Buffett greets some of the staff of the Pasiansi Wildlife Training Institute upon their arrival at the institute yesterday.

US Billionaire Howard Buffett planting a tree at Pasiansi Wildlife Training Institute. Behind him is the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu.

Howard Buffett smiles for having his tree planting exercise done at the institute.

Howard Buffett listening to the Principal of Pasiansi Wildlife Training Institute Lowaeli Damalu when he visited the institute science laboratory. Right is the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu and left is the Acting Director of Wildlife Paul Sarakikya.

Howard Buffett greets Commander Venace Tossi when they met at Pasiansi Wildlife Training Institute.

 Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu and Howard Buffett receiving a salute from the parade organized by the trainees of the Pasiansi Wildlife Training Institute. Far left is Commander Venance Tossi and right is the Principal of PWTI Lowaeli Damalu.

 Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu and Howard Buffett inspect the parade organized by the students of PWTI.

 Trainees at Pasiansi Wildlife Training institute.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (left) and Howard Buffett making a Press Conference at PWTI where a joint cooperation strategy between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation was launched.

The visiting US billionaire and conservationist, Mr. Howard Buffet, has pledged to provide an R44 helicopter for surveillance against poaching in the Selous Game Reserve to arrive in the country in six months' time.

 

Through the Howard G. Buffet Foundation (HGBF), the renowned ecologist said his foundation will on the other hand lease a helicopter to patrol the reserves starting mid next month pending arrival of the chopper to be provided to the country.

 

During the visit of Howard Buffett at Pasiansi Wildlife Training institute in Mwanza yesterday, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu, said the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) will also purchase a helicopter of the same make to conduct patrols in the Ngorongoro corridor, Loliondo, Manyara and Tarangire.

 

"The chopper will be delivered in the next six months. The HGBF will also sponsor training of four pilots for the two helicopters.

 

The training will be conducted either in the United States or South Africa starting June 1, this year," the minister said in the statement.

 

According to Hon. Nyalandu, the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) will also acquire one helicopter of Bell make and support training of two pilots.

 

"This helicopter will be much bigger and will thus enable TANAPA to conduct joint patrols with the police force which also uses a chopper of the same make," Hon. Nyalandu said.

 

The minister explained further that the HGBF would foot all the costs for leasing of the helicopter, salaries for pilots and fuel while the ministry will cater for meals and accommodation for the pilots during patrols.

 

In another development, HGBF in collaboration with the ministry have hired two consultants to give advice to the Selous Game Reserves and the Pasiansi Wildlife Training College for six months, the Minister said.

 

After consultations with the ministry, the HGBF has also agreed to support strengthening of training for game rangers and improvement of infrastructure at the Pasiansi Wildlife Training College to boost anti-poaching and conservation efforts.

 

Hon. Nyalandu, who made a visit to the college together with Mr. Buffet, said the government has announced employment opportunities for 450 game rangers out of 950 it plans to employ during this financial year.

 

"During this week, the ministry will also disburse 25 AK47 rifles to the college for training purposes," he said.

 

The American billionaire will spend a total of 8.6bn/- to support capacity building and anti-poaching efforts through purchase of vehicles, GPS equipment and training among others.