{
  "id": 128417,
  "title": "Tanzania: Healers Cleared to Own Govt Wildlife Trophies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/tanzania-healers-cleared-to-own-govt-wildlife-trophies",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-04T10:35:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica Health",
    "slug": "allafrica-health",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608040267.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mwanza — Tanzania's Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) has announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has granted traditional healers the legal right to own government wildlife trophies for their practices, in accordance with the law. Mr Omary Mhando, a TAWA Conservation Officer, made this announcement during the Farmers Day celebrations in Mwanza Region. The decision came after healers sought permission to legally possess wildlife trophies, including wildebeest tails, lion fat, and other animal products. Traditionally, healers have inherited these trophies from their ancestors, but had previously faced arrest for possessing them without legal authorization. President Samia sanctioned the request after the healers presented their case during the Sukuma community's cultural celebrations. This marks the first time since Tanzania gained independence in 1961 that traditional healers have been permitted to legally own such trophies. TAWA has also established a government trophy shop in Mwanza City and opened a wildlife meat shop in Arusha to create economic opportunities from wildlife resources, as per the Wildlife Conservation Act, Chapter 283, Section 4(1). To transfer ownership, owners must submit a formal written application with the prescribed fees, including a transfer fee and ownership certificate, excluding VAT. TAWA continues to promote wildlife farming and access to the government trophy shop, encouraging citizens to seize these opportunities for their benefit while contributing to the national economy.",
  "summary": "[Daily News] Mwanza -- THE Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) has announced the implementation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's directive allowing traditional healers to legally own government trophies used in their practices in accordance with the law.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}