Gerald Bigurube, former Director General of Tanzania’s National Park Authority commences work for the Conservation NGO Frankfurt Zoological Society.

(Frankfurt, 10 September 2009) Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is honoured to have the former Director General of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Gerald Bigurube, now working in their African Regional Office in Seronera, Tanzania. The transition was approved by the President of Tanzania and it allows Gerald Bigurube to continue working with conservation while further strengthening the bond between FZS and TANAPA. His work commenced September 1st.

Collaboration between government agencies like TANAPA and non-governmental organisations such as FZS has been critical to the success of conservation in Tanzania. FZS and TANAPA have worked closely together for over fifty years. FZS plays an integral role in several of Tanzania’s National Parks providing critical funding, infrastructure and knowledge while TANAPA institutes key initiatives and expertise. The two organisations work in partnership to ensure protection and management of these areas. Both TANAPA and FZS use research and wildlife monitoring to facilitate future planning across Tanzania. Their work extends outside of park/reserve boundaries by providing villages on the peripheries with environmental education programs. Such initiatives have been influential in gaining support for conservation from local communities.

Director General Gerald Bigurube brought TANAPA from humble beginnings into one of the most effective organisations on the continent. His achievements were monumental and included adding Tanzania to the worldwide tourist market. During his 15 year tenure with TANAPA he successfully instituted four new national parks (Mkomazi, Saadani, Kitulo and Udzungwa) as well as an array of new reserves and conservation areas. “These achievements coupled with his outstanding relations within the Wildlife Sector will help to further integrate the work FZS is engaged in around Africa,” says Dr. Markus Borner, African Programmes Director of FZS.

Gerald Bigurube is now stationed in the Serengeti National Park where he has begun his role as Programme Officer with FZS. In this role, he will have the opportunity to apply and extend the experience he gained at TANAPA to programs like the Serengeti Rhino Repatriation Project, an effort aimed at reintroducing 32 Black Rhinos, currently held in South Africa, back into the Serengeti ecosystem.

Frankfurt Zoological Society has nearly 80 projects worldwide, half of which are based in Africa. Gerald Bigurube will lend his expertise to several FZS projects outside of Tanzania, including areas within Ethiopia, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. In his new position, Gerald Bigurube’s influence will now be felt throughout the continent.

Dagmar Andres-Brümmer, FZS Public Relations
Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt, Germany
phone: ++49 (0)69- 9434 46 11
email: andres-bruemmer@zgf.de
www.fzs.org | www.zgf.de