Protected species are more endangered than ever before in Cameroon, according  wildlife conservationists. The continuing popularity of wildlife meat, or bush meat, is encouraging armed poachers to kill hundreds of thousands of animals. But the government has introduced new initiatives to fight against the illegal trade.

For several years, the business of selling bush meat has thrived, despite anti-poaching laws. Across the country, vendors openly display smoked monkeys, gorillas and crocodiles among others.

Conservation groups like the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and the World Conservation Society warn that at this rate, critically endangered species will be completely wiped out 20 years from now.

A conservation group, The Last Great Apes, or LAGA, says hunters armed with illegally owned high calibre rifles have formed networks to kill 3,000 gorillas, 400 chimpanzees and 4,000 elephants yearly for meat and ivory in Cameroon and neighbouring countries.

The government has prohibited the transport of bush meat to markets on trains, timber trucks and public transportation. Also, a number of radio campaigns have been conducted to try to sensitise people on the gravity of the issue. But observers say the campaigns have failed to stop the high demand for the meat.

Tons of it continues to reach the markets and enrich traders, who take advantage of the absence of security patrols in remote areas or bribe their ways through checkpoints.

Things about to change?

But Cameroon’s Minister of Forests and Wildlife, Elvis Ngolle Ngolle says the government introduced a new program at the beginning of the year.

“Bush meat should only be sold in Cameroon in markets or public places that have been designated by local authorities. That way our eco-guards will be able to move around to ensure that any meat which is not sold in designated markets will be considered illegal,” he said.

The bush meat that will be legal to sell includes species that are not endangered including cane rats. The government will penalize anyone who sells meats from elephants, monkeys and other protected animals.

Rat farms

In partnership with conservation organisations, the government is also planning to create farms to breed wild animals, like cane rats and porcupines. They also propose working with traditional chiefs and their subjects to protect threatened flora and fauna.

Forest guards will be better equipped and trained so as to be more effective. Among other measures, the government wants to provide other job opprotunities for bush meat traders in farming, including in the development of cocoa and coffee plantations.

Cameroon’s wildlife law dates back to 1994. It strictly prohibits the sale and trafficking of endangered species, with penalties ranging from fines of half a billion francs [about one million US dollars] to life imprisonment. But administrative red tape delayed the implementation of the law until six years ago, when the first violator was prosecuted and jailed.

Ever since, LAGA has been helping the government enforce the legislation. It uses undercover agents to track down illegal wildlife dealers and hand them over to prosecutors. Gradually, things are changing: an average two persons are arrested, fined or jailed every month for breaking the wildlife law.

Source: Africanews