Many conservationists have been united in animosity toward Tanzania's plan to build the so-called Serengeti Highway. The road, after all, would divide Serengeti National Park, threatening one of the world's last great large-mammal migrations.

It seems natural, then, that many celebrated late last week after reports of the highway's cancellation seeded a flurry of optimistic headlines: "Serengeti Highway Canned: Victory for Animals!", "Breaking News: Serengeti Highway Halted," "Victory for environmentalists. ... "

But after a closer look at the official Tanzanian statement behind the reports, it's questions, not toasts, that are being raised, and conservationists are divided as to whether it means the highway is truly canceled.

(See "New Public Road to Split the Serengeti?")

Tanzania sparked an international