John Magufuli, a populist leader who contrasted his country with his African neighbors by declaring it “open for business” in the midst of regional pandemic lockdowns, died in a Dar es Salaam hospital Wednesday, announced the government.
His vice president said in a national address that he died of “chronic heart disease.”
By Milan Sime Martinic
Everywhere humans and elephants coexist, they come into conflict, resulting in injuries, deaths, and ruined crops.
While governments compensate farmers and others for injuries and ruined crops, people in countries like Tanzania and Kenya have said they believe the government’s real priority is the elephants, which bring in tourist dollars.
A few years ago by accident, a drone pilot in Tanzania discovered that elephants he was filming were afraid of his drone. Because conservationists had been looking for a way to deal with elephants getting too close to humans and farms, they seized on the opportunity and added drones to their bag of tricks, which already included making loud noises, movement, firing guns into the air, charging elephants with vehicles, and hanging spicy chili-soaked sheets.
Farmers and the groups that help them are still looking for a better, long-term solution to the elephant problem.