By Lake Zone Watch Writer
Two rangers of the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) have been seriously wounded during a clash with poachers at Burigi- Chato National Park in Geita Region.
A statement issued by TANAPA in Arusha yesterday said the incident happened on 31st August, 2023 when six rangers and one officer engaged three armed poachers in a battle and managed to capture two of them.
However, CRIII Wilson Lukas Mwita was struck with a spear on the hand while CRI Pele Malima Taraba was speared in the abdomen. Both of them were rushed to Chato District Hospital for Emergency care and Mwita was later discharged while Taraba is recovering after a surgery.
“Two poaching suspects Juma Pascal (38) and Amos Nyanda (18) are being held by the police and efforts to apprehend the third suspect are still going on,” the statement said.
TANAPA also issued a stern warning in the statement, saying it will not relent until all poachers stealing the nation’s natural resources and those killing and wounding game rangers are brought to book.