Serengeti General Management Plan

F. Park Operations Programme
Another aspect of security around SENAPA that will be addressed by this GMP is cattle rustling,
which continues to be a problem from Loliondo through the northern part of the Park to
Serengeti and Tarime Districts and on to Kenya, as recorded in Table F.3 below. Recently, a
cooperative agreement has been initiated to coordinate anti-cattle rustling efforts between
village leaders and stakeholders from the areas concerned. Success has already been
noted, with an example in 2004 where all the stolen cattle were recovered following a raid in
Loliondo.
Table F.3: Cattle rustling incidences recorded around SENAPA, 1988 – 2004
Year Number of incidences Number of cattle stolen
1988 1 28
1989 2 360
1990 3 104
1991 2 80+
1992 1 Unknown
1993 No records No records
1994 1 48
1995 2 Unknown
1996 1 12
1997 12 583+
1998 4 50
1999 2 52
2000 14 1043
2001 12 821
2002 5 811
2003 1 87
2004 2 418
During the implementation of the GMP, SENAPA management will enhance the existing initiative
to ensure that the achievements in security to date are sustained and improved upon.
The management actions to achieve this target are described below.
Action 1.2.1: Strengthen surveillance patrols in prone areas
The Resource Protection Department already has a good understanding and documentation
of where insecurity occurrences are most prevalent. To better utilise the existing manpower,
the surveillance patrols will be concentrated in these insecure areas, and special attention
will be given to ensuring that the patrols are properly equipped. The surveillance operations
in general will also adopt better screening processes for people entering the Park as well as
monitoring suspicious actions in the surrounding communities and tourist facilities.
Action 1.2.2: Improve communication/ radio network
A good communications network is one of the key foundations for the SENAPA security operation.
Rapid and appropriate responses to illegal activities are only possible when information
of incidences can be communicated immediately from throughout the Park and the surrounding
area to a coordinating centralised system. To achieve this, the network will be expanded
and maintained to include park staff, tour operators/ concessionaires, authorities in
charge of neighbouring land and other land-users within the ecosystem. This action will also
ensure that members of this network are given the relevant communication equipment and
training to be able to properly participate.
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