The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 733: Dispatches from Africa - Anti-Poaching With A Side Of Black Mamba
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Jul 15, 2025 Joash Vomo, Executive Director of the Robin Hurt Wildlife Foundation and Anti-Poaching Coordinator, dives into the heart of wildlife conservation in Tanzania. He shares insights on the fine line between subsistence poaching and illegal game meat trade. Vomo discusses the transformation of poachers into anti-poachers, driven by community-based conservation efforts. He also gives thrilling accounts of encounters with black mambas, revealing their lethal agility and the complexities of human-wildlife relationships. A must-listen for conservation enthusiasts!
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Modern Poaching Is Mostly Meat
- Poaching in Tanzania mainly targets meat rather than ivory or horns nowadays.
- Elephant and rhino poaching incidents have significantly declined due to government crackdowns.
Game Meat Black Market Dynamics
- Poachers often sell game meat discreetly on a black market.
- There is a cultural belief that giraffe meat has healing powers, increasing its demand.
Large Wire Snares For Big Game
- Poachers use large wire snares set near waterholes and riverbeds to catch big game.
- Loops are sized large enough to ensnare animals like cape buffalo.