Assessment of anti-poaching effort in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Anti-poaching effort in Ruaha National Park for the period between January 1996 to June 1999 was evaluated in terms of strength, frequency and duration of patrols, area covered and success of patrols. It was found that the park spent 72.4 US$ km-2 year-1 on law enforcement. There were 72 rangers each required to patrol on the average 143 km2. A total of 1,255 patrols were conducted; patrols ranged from 14 to 43 trips per month and each lasted between 1 to 25 days and most were foot and vehicle patrols. Patrol units had 2 to 11 rangers while the average patrol effort ranged from 36 ranger-days 100km-2 year-1 to 120 ranger-days 100 km-2 year-1. The success of sighting poaching signs varied from 4.3 signs 100 ranger-days-1 to 10.5 signs 100 ranger-days-1. Patrol units on foot were more likely to sight poachers than those on vehicles. Armed patrols were more likely to encounter poaching gangs during the dry than wet season possibly because visibility was better in the dry season. About 90% to 100% rangers were armed during patrols. Over 60% of encountered poachers were arrested. Increasing the number of armed patrol units is likely to increase success in sighting and arresting poachers through improving patrol efficiency. However, this should be coupled with increased funding; patrol vehicles, ranger force and improved road system Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp. 13-2

Preliminary observations of birds of Songo Songo Island, Tanzania

No Abstrac

Ecological Carrying Capacity of Saanane Island Proposed National Park, Mwanza, Tanzania

The study on ecological carrying capacity of Saanane Island aimed at assessing stocking capacity of the island to provide guidance to the introduction of animals to enhance its ecological value and tourism potential. To evaluate the ecological carrying capacity of the Island, wet and dry season data were collected in 2014 for woody, herbaceous and grass species using PCQ and quadrat methods Wet and dry weights biomass of the forage material was measured to determine dry matter content and are presented as dry weight biomass. Total productivity was 4,280 kg/ha dry weight in wet season which increased to 7,965 kg/ha dry weight in dry season due to absence of disturbance such as limited grazing and fire which is rarely practiced on the Island. Woody species had a total density of 491woody plants ha-1, which was not significant using unpaired two sample t test. This study suggest that the range capability of Saanane Island is 6.76 ha/ animal metabolic requirement (GU) for wet season and 9.125 ha/GU for dry season and thus the productivity of the Island is capable of sustaining 43.5 GU in wet season and 32.2 GU in dry season based on the size of the Island estimated to be 3 km2. Key words: Ecology, Carrying capacity, Saanane Island, forage, herbivor