Serengeti — SEVEN submachine guns (SMGs) have been confiscated from poachers by rangers in Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) in recent months.

The firearms were confiscated between March and June, this year (2013) along with over 400 bullets, according to the park's Chief Park Warden, Mr William Mwakilema.

Mr Mwakilema made the revelation on Wednesday as part of his brief presentation to the Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra.

He cited poaching as one of the biggest challenges threatening the park which is blessed with a variety of beautiful fauna and flora, including the great migration of wildebeest comprising over 1.5 million.

Mr Mwakilema also told the Thailand Premier that SENAPA is still one of the best places on earth demonstrating the real nature in the world. SENAPA is the country's second largest national park covering 14,763 square kilometres.

Tanzania and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on wildlife management and conservation in a brief ceremony witnessed by Thailand Prime Minister, shortly after arriving in the park as part of her three-day official visit.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Plodprasop Suraswadi and Tanzanian Minister for Tourism and Natural Resource, Amb. Khamis Kagasheki. The MoU is expected to boost the conservation campaign and tourism growth in the country.