Investors, Partners, Researchers & Volunteers required :
The first priority of MCC is to find an experienced (preferably male) investor-partner who is based in or would be prepared to move to Tanzania and help hands-on in getting the project up and running. The project is too remote and 'sensitive' to be overseen by a woman alone.
Once this has been achieved, we then require a series of volunteer specialist researchers (flora and fauna) who are prepared to 'rough it' in the bush and who will each spend a year with the project, researching the movements and patterns of the resident and migratory flora and fauna and their relationship (if any) to crop damage.
Each researcher will be expected to contribute financially towards the project in terms of cash donation or purchase/donation of equipment.
Major priorities in terms of equipment requirements include :
Satellite link (for internet communications)
Suitable 4 x 4 vehicles (either Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser) with necessary accessories such as winches,
A tented camp (including facilities).
Financial donations will go towards such items as :
The sinking of a borehole
Building of and improvement of current roads
Hiring of armed askaris (guards)
Building of a boma (protective fence around the camp)
Electricity sources (solar, wind power & generators)
Mobile telephones
Foodstuff and supplies for researchers and project managers
Salaries for Project Managers
Accommodation for Volunteers and Project Managers
Building and hosting of a website to attract public donations and researchers
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Once the above research has been completed, then work can begin in earnest on the Carnivore Rescue Centre* itself. This will entail the writing of funding proposals to major donor organisations for financial assistance for the setting up and maintenance of the following :
Electrified Fencing for carnivore/predator enclosures.
Building and maintenance of an airstrip.
Visitor and Education Centre.
Research Laboratories and equipment.
Food supply for 'resident' carnivores.
Air charter services.
* The nature of this project will evolve over the course of time, depending upon current 'wildlife regulations' in place at time of establishment, however, please see below for overall concept.
Manyara Carnivore Centre (MCC) - Rescue & Rehabilitation for Tanzania's Carnivores
MCC intends to establish a Carnivore Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in Northern Tanzania. Land - adjoining Tarangire National Park - has already been negotiated for and acquired.
The idea behind the project is to rescue so-called 'problem' carnivores (including lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, wild dog and the smaller carnivores) that have either strayed from protected areas (due to hunting or over-population problems) or are causing villages along protected area borders a 'problem' in some way, e.g. preying on village cattle. The project also aims to rescue orphaned animals and those that, for example have been hit by moving vehicles and/or their progeny.
At present such animals (all now on the endangered list to some degree or other) are merely shot. MCC intends to set up a networking system through which we will be alerted when such accidents or situations occur, in order that we can put into effect the rescuing of these animals, fly or transport them to the centre and either medically treat them or rehabilitate them so that, where possible, these animals can be returned to areas of safety to themselves.
Unfortunately there will inevitably be a number of rescued animals who will not be able to be returned to the wild and one aim of MCC is to house these animals in a sanctuary which will also serve as an educational centre for Tanzanian school children. Research on all animals present in the sanctuary will be conducted by qualified wildlife vets and researchers.
In addition to the rehabilitation centre and sanctuary, MCC also plans, later, to build and maintain eco-lodges on this land. The needs for such accommodation are multiple: the area is extremely remote and visiting scientists and interested tourists will have to he housed, and the eco-lodges are expected to generate a sustainable income for the carnivore centre. The local community will benefit from the proximity of the centre in terms of employment opportunities and improvement of community social services.
The objectives of Manyara Carnivore Centre are to initiate and participate in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release operations through:
i. Establishment of adequate facilities and the physical infrastructure for the rescue, accommodation and rehabilitation of wildlife,
ii. Establishment of a centre of excellence for wildlife rehabilitation,
iii. Provision of fast and effective health care to wild animals,
iv. Creation of a national wildlife rehabilitation network and dissemination of information on wildlife rehabilitation,
v. Provision of training in wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife health management,
vi. Building up veterinary expertise and develop the practice of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction in Tanzania through support, networking, training and information dissemination,
vii. Education to prevent cruelty to wildlife and other animals and promotion of animal welfare,
viii Networking with similar organisations and experts in the field, sharing knowledge and skills, locally and internationally.
Please email me your interest :
terry@africanconservation.org
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