A tourist was recently caught playing with a cheetah in Serengeti National Park, an act that is extremely dangerous for both wildlife and visitors. This incident raises fresh concern over safari rule’s violation.
BY MBONEKO MUNYAGA
A recent clip circulating on social media showed a tourist in a safari vehicle playing with a cheetah as another big cat stood behind it in a part of the Serengeti National Park, in what was a clear violation of the cardinal rule in the wild: “Never take liberties with game.”
The incident sparked strong condemnation from officials and tourism stakeholders, who described it as unacceptable. The Head of Communications at the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Assistant Commissioner of Conservation (ACC), Ms Catherine Mbena, warned driver-guides to ensure they follow the rules governing safaris. These include respecting animals in their natural habitat and not trying, in any way, to influence their behaviour.
“Driver-guides are our tourism ambassadors and we expect them to observe the rules to give visitors the best experience of their safari in Tanzania,” Ms Mbena told the media.
However, she did not indicate what action was being considered against those involved in the incident.
Tourism stakeholders also expressed disappointment over the incident.
“Trying to influence the behaviour of animals can be very dangerous for visitors and their families,” said Mr Charles Mkuu, Coordinator of the Arusha-based non-profit organisation Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Initiative (WECI). He warned that wild animals should never be treated as pets.
Among the big cat family, which includes lions and leopards, cheetahs are known for being more curious in their interaction with humans. However, they remain wild animals and their behaviour or reaction can change suddenly and without warning, Mr Mkuu added.
Speaking from Kogatende, deep in the Serengeti, the Chairman of the Tanzania Tour Guides Association (TTGA), Mr Lembris Loipuko, also condemned the incident.
“Playing with animals is a very serious breach of national park rules, which could lead to equally serious consequences for Tanzania’s tourism in general,” he told The Arusha News in a phone interview.
Tourism Goodwill Ambassador and Serengeti podcaster, Mr Chacha Wambura, said the incident was very bad, adding that those who engage in such behaviour do not understand how the country could lose out on quality tourism.
Tanzania, he said, markets tourism abroad as “a very pristine experience”. However, if tourists can come and play with animals in the wild, how is that different from animals kept in zoos? asked Mr Wambura, who is also a tour guide.
Whenever such an incident happens, both the driver and his employer should be severely punished, he added.
The latest violation of national park rules comes less than eight months after some tour drivers and their companies were suspended and fined for allowing tourists to leave their vehicles for “close-range viewing of migrating wildebeest” at a critical crossing point. The incident threw the animals into panic and disarray during their annual pilgrimage across the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, a movement conservationists believe is coded in their DNA.
