Animal sanctuary in Arusha

Arusha is planning to turn the Kimandolu section of Suye Hill in the city's eastern suburbs into an animal sanctuary aimed at the tourist market, according to the mayor Gaudence Lyimo.

Lyimo said the plan was to provide a city-based tourist destination to attract the large number of visitors who pass through Arusha on their way to the nearby Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Mount Kilimanjaro national parks.

The mayor said the habitat at the base of the hill is suitable for aquatic life and the idea was to introduce certain species of animal that wouldn't pose a threat to visitors or the property of local residents. He said that the hippopotamus - regarded as a dangerous animal - would be part of the plan but would be placed in a controlled environment.

No start date has been given for the project, which the mayor admitted would be more of an animal sanctuary than a national park, but he said there is already sufficient road infrastructure leading to Kimandolu.