From All Africa.

Poachers in Tanzania will face tougher penalties thanks to a new government bill.

The bill arose due to an increase in poaching, and is scheduled to be tabled in the National Assembly next month.

“Poachers must be harshly punished because they are merciless people who wantonly kill our wildlife and sometimes game wardens,” said Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism.

Kagasheki spoke at the climax of the global Elephant March held in 15 countries worldwide, including Tanzania.

Illegal hunters of elephant tusks are backed by wealthy international barons, he said. Therefore, legal assistance isn’t a problem for them. Their court cases are often long and many are acquitted, he added.

Read more at All Africa