Community Attitudes to Tortoises (Gepchelone pardalis babcocki) and thier Conservation in Northern Tanzania

A survey of local attitudes to tortoises and their conservation was conducted in Robanda and Mto wa Mbu in northern Tanzania between October 1994 and March 1995. Leopard tortorises damaged crops in Rbanda village, Serengeti District. The Ikoma tribe of this district esteems the leopard tortoise as a totem animal, and the scutes have medicinal value. Trade was reported only in Mto wa Mbu, but most respondents were very reluctant to state the number of animals collected. Most respondents favoured conserving tortoises and biological diversity in their area. Given the close proximity to the road and Arusha, Mto wa Mbu residents placed more emphasis on cash values of the wildlife trade and tourism. In contrast, in Robanda , culture values may favour conservation. The low income per capita in Robanda, and the decline in culture norms among the young generation might change the people's attitudes to tortoises. The paper recommends for raising public awareness among the youths in order to elicit community support for conservation

Factors Affecting the Implementation of Training Programs among Employees of Public Institutions in Tanzania: The Case of Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF).

This study aimed at analyzing Factors Affecting the Implementation of Training Programs among Employees of Public Organizations in Tanzania: The Case of Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF). An explanatory research design was employed; a case study approach was selected due to the nature of the study. Total sample of 90 was picked from PSSSF by simple random and purposive sampling methods. Data were collected by questionnaires with a response of 84 staff and 6 respondents were interviewed. SPSS software was used in analyzing data and quantitative method was used. Findings showed that lack of training needs analysis; shortage of training budget, and lack of training programs evaluation hinders the implementation of training program at PSSSF. It was concluded that training program is not practiced adequately at PSSSF. Several costs are associated with training program. There are some benefits obtained because of the training program. Also there are some challenges hindering the implementation of the training program at PSSSF. It was recommended that identification of training needs should be done more professionally in conjunction with the line manager as well as the individuals involved together with the HR personnel. Everyone involved should agree exactly to what the trainees are lacking. Every head of department is supposed to know the benefit of training program; cost associated with the program, staff involvement and knows how they can play their part in achieving the goals and objectives of the organization. Staffs should be given the ownership and partnership in the training process. Keywords: Training Programs and Developmen

Conversion and revival : a critical analysis of the revival movement among Lutheran Christians in the North Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.The topic of this dissertation is to show the meaning and the importance of conversion to the Lutheran Christians including Abalokole in the North Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. It critically investigates how the Abalokole and other Lutheran Christians in the area under study understand and practice conversion and revival in their Christian lives. The descriptions and analysis in this research have the importance of challenging Christians about their understanding of conversion and revival. The aim of all this will be to understand conversion as a type of Christian transformation and thus to develop new pastoral understanding of how to assist people in their process of transformation. It is important to understand how and why transformation takes place in the lives of men and women in a Christian context. In understanding conversion in depth, new insight is gained into the process of evangelism and the dynamics of Christian formation. Furthermore, by its very nature, conversion provides a rich topic for investigating the connection between understanding a phenomenon and applying that understanding to the practice of ministry. From this understanding, more educative methods will be needed among Lutheran Christians so that they will not need to be confused when they meet with doctrines of other Christian faiths. This thesis has the following chapters: Chapter One: This chapter deals with the introduction of the study. It introduces: the statement of the problem, the aim of the study, research hypothesis, research questions, scope and limitations, problems encountered during the research and clarification of the basic terminologies used in this study. Chapter two describes research methodology used to obtain data. It seeks to describe and validate the applied method. Inductive methodology has been utilized by beginning with people and their experiences and expertise. Therefore only those trusted key informants who could provide the required information were interviewed. Chapter Three explains the historical background of the advent of Lutheran Christianity and the impact of the Revival Movement or Balokole movement in the North Western Diocese (NWD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). This background information is necessary for the reader to grasp how people in the area became Christians and how they are experiencing conversion and revival today. Chapter Four: This chapter is all about data analysis and presentation of the findings. It focuses on what Christians are experiencing and saying about conversion and revival. It seeks to analyse the data reflected from these case studies and interviews. Chapter Five investigates the consequences of the Revival Movement in the North Western Diocese. It shows the strengths and weaknesses of the movement. It argues that in order to be a good disciple of Jesus Christ, one needs to be faithful, to repent and therefore to receive forgiveness from God. Chapter Six: This chapter shows some of the challenges facing the church as an institution. It focuses on the new vision and a way forward by introducing practical implementations on the topic under research. It moves into focusing on what has to be done by the Church. Chapter Seven: This chapter summarises the findings of the research. It deals with summary, conclusions and recommendations. It concludes by suggesting some of the work to be done by the Church (NWD) and some suggestions for further research. This thesis concludes with appendices: names of interviewees, Dioceses of ELCT, interview questions, transcriptions as well as a full bibliography

Efficacy of Leopard Tortoise (Gepchelone pardalis babcocki) Farming in Tanzania

Assessment of the efficacy of leopard tortoise farming was made in Dar es Salaam and Arusha between June and July 1995. Three out of four farms held parental stocks in excess of the legal quota. Some farms also held stocks of mixed provenance, unsuitable for farming. None of the farms had suitable enclosures. Drinking and bathing water was not changed frequently resulting dirt contamination. Few grasses and no mineral supplements were included in the tortoise diet. No regular veterinary inspection was made for parasite removal. The farms underreported tortoise deaths. The reproductive output of the captive tortoise was generally poor. Furthermore, farm owners lacked the expertise and commitment required for breeding regime. The study concludes with recommendations for improving tortoise farming in Tanzania

Morphometrics of the pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) in Tanzania

Observations were made of the morphometrics of captive pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) in June 1995. Carapace length ranges for immature tortoises and adult males and females were 50-115, 123-160 and 129-171 mm respectively. The respective carapace widths were 45-90, 97-130, and 92-129 and 97-130 mm. Carapace height ranges were 15-29, 25-40 and 117-159 mm, respectively, while plastron length ranges were 45-110, 108-150 and 117-159 mm. The relationships between carapace length and width (males: y = 13.763+0.639x; females: y = 17.302+0.639x) and height (males: y=6.851+0.170x, females: y = 17.274+0.170x) were isometric and sexually dimorphic in adults. The relationship between carapace length (x) and plastron length (y) was also isometric (y = 20.438+0.790x) but not sexually dimorphic in adults. The respective mass ranges for immature tortoises, adult males and females were 20-200, 200-500 and 240-580 g. The relationship between mass (x in g) and carapace length (y in mm) were strongly allometric (males: y = 32.026x0.261; females: y = 26.188x0.261) and not sexually dimorphic in adults. That in immature tortoises was y = 16.482x0.363. Tanz. J. Sci. Vol. 28(2) 2002: 33-4

Occurrence and activity budget of the leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis, in northern Tanzania

Occurrence and activity budget of the leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis were studied in northern Tanzania between October 1993 and June 1996. Tortoises occurred most frequently in short grass (51.5%) and along roads and track verges (33.9%), but only occasionally in the bush undergrowth (6.7%) and shambas (3.6%). Walking (46.3%) and feeding (37.2%) were the most frequent activities. Resting was observed only occasionally (13.6%) while courtship (1.9%) and drinking (0.9%) were rarely recorded. Activity budget differed significantly between the age classes and habitats, but not between the sexes. Juveniles walked more frequently (59.3%) than other age classes. Walking was most frequent along roads and tracks (68.8%). Adult tortoises rested more frequently (18.7%) than other age classes but the difference was not significant. The proportions of individuals resting in the various habitats differed significantly, with resting being most frequent in the shrub undergrowth (93.3%). Juveniles were observed feeding less frequently than other age classes but the difference was not significant. Feeding was recorded in all habitats, but it was least frequent in the shrub undergrowth. Tanzania Journal of Science Volume 27 (2001), pp. 87-9