Extinction of a species:Elephant poaching on the rise in Moza.

Poaching of trophy animals,most notably the elephant,is to observe a sharp rise due to the increase of the monetary value on the Asian black market.

As a result,this species is in severe danger of disappearing in the country. 

About eight elephants are killed daily by poachers all over the country and this practice is intensifying in the reserves or parks located in the northern and central regions,particularly in Niassa reserve,Quirimbas National Park and Gile Reserve,in the Niassa,Cabo Delgado and Zambezia provinces respectively.This sitution worries,increasingly,managers of national parks.

For example,recently there was a meeting in Xai-Xai,Gaza province,where several entities of the southern region as authorities,judges,prosecutors,tourism managers and others deeply discussed the poaching and trafficking of elephants and rhinos,and there was remarkable doubt,for example,about the existence of rhinos in national reserves. 

As witnessed on site,there was a serious and profound contradiction between the major players in flora conservation sector and fauna that claim,on the one hand,that you can see traces of the presence of that animal in the Limpopo National Park and others defend themselves, almost assure, that this animal no longer exist in the country.

At the time,Andrew Lumbe,South African fiscal authourities,said he has knowledge that there are two rhinos in that country that sometimes enter the country.But he said he is concerned about their safety.

Regarding the elephant,the participants were unanimous in considering that in the last three years have seen a growing demand for its trophies and pointed out that this phenomenon is due to ivory prices in the Asian black market,where the cost is between 1,000 to $ 1,200 per kilogram of crude ivory.

Because of this high demand,it was revealed that about 90 percent of the elephant population that exists in the country is in a situation of insecurity and only 10 are living in peace.

That the population of elephants at this time is in a situation of insecurity is one that is evident in the provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado, while the southern region is not suffering from any threat. According to Abel Nhabanga,fauna expert,the situation is more worrying in Niassa National Reserve where even with the new measures the phenomenon tends to increase. 

To address this situation, Nhabanga said investments were made in the inspection sector, as the acquisition of an airplane for surveillance.

Even so,the current human resources are less than desirable.Niassa Reserve is the largest conservation area that exists in the country with 42 000 square kilometers and consevationists allocated to that conservation area, as well as watch over hunters also are on the trail of other criminals like those who develop the practice of cutting Illegal wood,as well as mining.

Abel Nhabanga said there is work ongoing in different reserves and parks in the country. 

Proof of this, only in the province of Niassa,were convicted this year,eight poachers,including six foreigners,with sentences ranging from 1-10 years in prison.

In Pemba was recently arrested one of the largest elephant hunters in Niassa Reserve in possession of some trophies.An individual of Tanzanian nationality coordinated a very extensive network. One of the condemned is the son of this, individual.


GAPS IN THE LAW


Parliament approved last year, 2014, the law that condemns poaching in the country. 

A year later,it was found that it has some shortcomings, particularly on how it is treated the individual who are found in possesion of trophies of the big 5.

It is understood that there is little ambiguity about this aspect because the law condemns to prison sentences individuals who are found to hunt while those who are found to carry only pay a fine.

As a result,many offenders use Mozambique as a hunting ground and running for evacuation of their merchandise.However, to reverse the scenario is in progress the review process of some articles of this law in order to find better ways to discipline the offenders.

It is a review that will allow that individuals who are found with trophies is are punishable as a primary offenders.

For example,the bad guys that draw the horns of rhinoceros in South Africa,using Mozambique as a getway because they know that our law opens some gaps, he said.

To Nhabanga constituents should receive more aggressive penalties because it is they who encourage Mozambicans to hunt down the elephants and these lead to the black market where they earn more. According to a source this law is ongoing its regulation.The consultancy has already been made.


FRUSTRATION

CONSERVATION AUTHOURITIES of national reserves are Frustrated with the measures that are taken by the courts because when they send notices to justice institution that some detainees have been freed allegedly because there is not enough data that may lead to conviction.

Sometimes,the few who are convicted fail to pay the fines because they are not located,others because they can not afford.

Last year got about 46 million meticais corresponding to fines imposed on offenders,but only received two thousand meticais instead.

This year it was expected to receive 887,000 meticais, but the state coffers only got 60,000 meticais.


For the fiscal situation is frustrating and demotivating. José Zavale, ,Limpopo National Park,said that center has a researchp unit that claim that in the near future to improve its research capacity to consolidate evidence. 

"The intention is to apply more in patrol activities. We want to make ambushes to catch t.poachers on the ground to hunt, even to transport them with their instruments. In the future we think of put cameras to not only help monitor all movement of criminals in the park, but also to make the registration of animals'',he said.

In another development, Zavale said that the board has been experiencing an increase in subsistence hunting levels.

It is the practice in some communities using steel cable,to snare animals for consumption or marketing.This is due to drought in some districts of Gaza province.

To Zavale the situation is worrying because this hunt is practiced every day by several individuals who seek to ensure the livelihood of their families.

"Imagine that a community of 20 hunters,every day go in the bush looking for animals.How many are we losing a month, six months or even a year!This year we captured 61 hunters''',he said.

However,in the implementation of operations "Nature" and "Lebombo," the Police for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment (PPRNMA) in coordination with the game park authouriries kept the reserves neutralized, several gangs of poachers,illegal transporters of wildlife products, seized vehicles, firearms, traps, ivory horns, horns of rhinos and other probited wildlife products .

PPRNMA arrested 66 poachers this year,of which 54 are Mozambicans,five Chinese,four Vietnamese, two Koreans and a South African.