African Hotels Take Stand Against Poaching

Nairobi - Whilst nobody will say so publicly, for fear of repercussions, the suspicion is that ground rhino horn is leaving Africa in diplomatic bags, delegates heard at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Poaching was declared at the forum to be the greatest threat to Africa's tourism industry and branded poachers as Africa's Public Enemy number one.

"Poaching is a global problem needing a global solution, Lazaro Nyalandu, Tanzania's deputy minister for natural resources and tourism said in an address at conference.

It is estimated that Tanzania has an elephant population of 100 000 today, but this is cut by 30 a day by poachers.

"They are so sophisticated that we need a military response," said Nyalandu.

"If their activities are not stamped out, we will have lost all our elephants in 10-15 years."

Nyalandu wants to see Tanzania's neighbours taking a stand too, pressurising the countries where the poachers' clients live to stamp out the trade.

The value of ivory and rhino horn continues to rise rapidly, as does the demand for "wildlife products".

Across Africa, one elephant is being killed every 15 minutes for its tusks. This continued illegal trade will lead to the species' extinction by 2025.

The hotel and tourism industry's concern goes well beyond statements.

Five percent of all AHIF revenues are being given to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, (DSWT), which looks after orphaned baby elephants and rhinos.

"Wildlife is the reason why tourists come to Africa," said Nyalandu.

As each herd is decimated, so too is the potential employment of thousands of people, most of whom are on low incomes. Poaching is not just about killing animals; it's about destroying livelihoods."

Poaching in Africa is happening on an industrial scale according to Nick van Marken, head of Deloitte's international travel, hospitality and leisure practice.

"Poachers are using automatic weapons to slaughter entire herds. They then hack off the tusks and horns. Rhino horn is ground down in Africa and then smuggled out," he said.

"Wildlife is part of Africa's natural infrastructure - remove it, and one of the primary reasons for visiting the continent will disappear."

He said it is time for the tourism industry to step up and speak out.

"Africa is so huge and the borders are so long that it's incredibly difficult to police," said Andrew McLachlan, VP Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Carlson Rezidor