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The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants Programme of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES MIKE Programme), in collaboration with the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), Mweka in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recently conducted a two-week training programme at Rungwa Game Reserve in Singida Region, United Republic of Tanzania.
The Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative was designed to equip rangers with the expertise to apply their knowledge in the field while also enabling them to train and mentor other rangers in their respective conservation areas. It was funded by the European Union under the MIKES+ project which builds on successful previous CITES MIKE projects implemented in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) range States.
The initiative brought together wildlife rangers from five East African elephant range States, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Its primary purpose was to strengthen the skills and knowledge of rangers in combating wildlife crime, with a specific emphasis on elephant mortality data collection and reporting as well as introducing them to crime scene management techniques.
The training builds on similar initiatives previously implemented in Southern and Central Africa, bringing together rangers from both regions in partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) and the Garoua Wildlife College in Cameroon. It strives to foster collaboration and strengthen data-driven conservation efforts across the region’s elephant range States.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said: “Well-trained and well-equipped rangers are the backbone of elephant conservation efforts. By strengthening their capacity to monitor and respond to threats, we are not only enhancing data-driven decision-making but also reinforcing the frontline defense against wildlife crime. This training initiative exemplifies the power of regional collaboration in ensuring the survival of the species for future generations.”
A Combination of Theory and Practical Training
In the classroom, rangers engaged in interactive sessions covering key aspects of wildlife monitoring and conservation. Each lesson was followed by a recap session, allowing trainees to reinforce their learning before moving on to new topics. Rangers were trained on the objectives of the CITES MIKE Programme, highlighting their critical role in the decision-making process and the importance of accurately collecting data when an elephant carcass is found.
This data includes the type and cause of death, detection method, age and sex of the elephant before death and the presence or absence of tusks. Participants also engaged in practical exercises to ensure they could collect this information systematically using standardised protocols and apply crime scene management techniques to preserve evidence for court proceedings.
For over 20 years, rangers across Africa and Asia have been collecting elephant mortality data in the field, providing CITES Parties with valuable insights into the conservation status of African and Asian elephants. The CITES MIKE Programme serves also as a critical database for conservation areas, supporting the development of effective anti-poaching strategies and improving site management. Beyond tracking poaching trends, MIKE data also plays a key role in identifying emerging threats, such as human-elephant conflict (HEC) and the impacts of climate change on elephant populations.
“This training has been an eye-opening experience,” said Lucy Tisa, a Kenya Wildlife Service ranger. “It has given us valuable skills to monitor and protect elephant populations in our home countries. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and collaborate with fellow rangers from across the region.”
Strengthening Collaboration for Future Conservation Efforts
The success of the training highlights the importance of continued collaboration between conservation organisations and well-established ranger training institutions, such as CAWM, which is widely recognised for its expertise in conservation training in the East Africa region.
This approach aligns with the CITES MIKE Programme’s sustainability vision, which seeks to integrate MIKE training into ranger training institutions, enabling them to independently deliver the training to their students and visiting rangers. By transferring these skills, the Programme not only expands its reach – ensuring more conservationists are equipped with essential expertise in monitoring the illegal killing of elephants – but also strengthens local capacity.
Leveraging their deep understanding of regional challenges, this approach enhances the long-term effectiveness of the Programme, enhanced efforts to combat wildlife crime and strengthened conservation of Africa’s elephant populations.
