There are many other vulnerable species across Africa whose numbers are declining rapidly as a result of poaching.

One such species is the African elephant, whose populations have been decimated with over 100,000 elephants killed in the past several years alone. Demand for their ivory from China and the Far East has not yet abated and the illegal ivory trade and the role of corruption in facilitating this trade have helped fuel this slaughter.

While Tony Fitzjohn and his team created sanctuaries for rhinos and African wild dogs in Mkomazi, Mkomazi National Park is a protected area for all of the area’s inhabitants. Working in close partnership with Tanzanian National Parks (TANAPA), numerous water holes were constructed, maintained and protected, which encouraged elephants to roam within areas where they, too, were protected. One of the significant achievements of the rehabilitation and protection of Mkomazi National Park has been the recovery of the elephant population.