Serengeti Update

German government solution The African Regional Manager for the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Mr. Gelrald Bigurube, confirmed that the German government will finance construction of tarmac roads that will link dozens of rural villages adjacent to the Serengeti National Park. He said the "international community is also concerned with the needs of the people in an environmental friendly way but the road should not be close to the park because it will have serious impact that cannot be mitigated." The next step is up to President Kikwete who recently turned down an offer from the World Bank to fund the alternate route. Below, road system around the Serengeti, with proposed Serengeti Watch southern route. OVERVIEW The government of Tanzania has approved a major commercial route across the Serengeti National Park, in the direct path of the greatest land migration on earth. Such a highway would destroy the integrity of a priceless World Heritage that has been protected by the people of Tanzania since the birth of their country. The Tanzanian government has a responsibility to work for development and welfare of its people. But in doing so, it does not need to sacrifice its most precious natural area, its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation. The German government has a plan to help resolve this issue. It has offered to study and help find funding for an alternate southern route. In addition, it has generously offered to study and fund the building of local roads for communities living around the Serengeti. The World Bank has also offered to help fund the alternate route. The stakes are high. It is a critical test case for the 21st Century – do we have the vision and the will to work for the welfare of our expanding human population while still preserving our world’s priceless natural areas? If we can't save the Serengeti, what can we save? Go here to sign to the PETITION. Thank you for helping support such a worthy cause!