Five Tanzanians arrested after British pilot killed
President denounces killing of conservationist after his helicopter was shot down by elephant poachers.
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Tanzanian President John Magufuli has condemned the killing of a British conservationist after his helicopter was shot down while he chased poachers, saying five people were arrested.
Roger Gower, 37, was killed when his helicopter took fire from poachers during a patrol last week of the Maswa Game Reserve in northern Tanzania, close to the world-famous Serengeti National Park.
Gower, who worked for the Friedkin Conservation Fund, had been tracking poachers after spotting the carcasses of recently killed elephants.
"This is a sad incident that must be strongly condemned," Magufuli said in a statement, ordering that all those involved should be "aggressively pursued and brought to justice".
Five suspects were arrested and questioned by police.
Magufuli vowed to boost efforts to protect wildlife.
"I personally support the fight against poaching in our game reserves and national parks... Let us join hands against the poachers," said Magufuli.
Gower's South African colleague, safari guide Nicky Bester, survived the helicopter crash.
Tanzania's National Parks spokesman, Pascal Shelutete, said poachers can be "heavily armed with sophisticated military weaponry".
Ivory is sought out for jewellery and decorative objects and much of it is smuggled to China, where many increasingly wealthy shoppers are buying ivory trinkets as a sign of financial success.
It is estimated that more than 30,000 elephants are killed for their tusks every year across Africa
"Five Tanzanians arrested after British pilot killed." Al-Jazeera . Al-Jazeera English. 2/2/16. 2/2/16
Elephant poaching in East Africa has long been a problem. I think this article,really shows that the problem is no where close to being solved or at all even lessened. The article was definitely aimed at a British and East African public. When I read this article I would say that it was biased against China, it named China as one of the major importers of ivory, where the rich buy it to show their financial success. However it never touched on the fact that corruption within East African governments is what is letting the ivory flow out of the countries. Personally, I would agree with the anti-Chinese bias of the article. China needs to take a bigger role in a trade that is as deadly to both humans and animals. If Chinese border controls and police took a bigger role in stopping ivory entering their country, the supply would be stopped and then the so would the demand.
