Wildlife trafficking:

Two arrested with a Dozen Chimp Skulls

Chimp skulls at wildlife office

Two people were arrested in AbongMbang during an operation carried out by the Upper Nyong Divisional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife.

They were arrested on June 9, 2016 for illegal possession of 12 chimpanzee skulls during an operation carried out with the support of the Gendarmerie. The two suspects, one is aged 35 and the other 25, travelled from Somalomo a localty close to the  Dja Faunal Reserve and arrived AbongMbang with the chimpanzee skulls carefully concealed in a bag which was found with them during the arrest, according to sources close to the case.

                The same sources that requested anonymity hold that investigation into the activity of the traffickers who were three - one of them failed to make the long journey to AbongMbang and so escaped arrest,  revealed that the small group ferried chimpanzee meat regularly from the Somalomo to AbongMbang and as as far as Yaounde for sale.

                Although towns around the Dja Faunal reserve are known to be ivory trafficking hotspots, this group seemed not to be very interested in  trafficking ivory despite the huge differences in profitability  because ivory attracts a lot of attention from wildlife officials the sources hold. This may be good news for elephant conservationists and also an indication that wildlife law enforcement efforts may finally be having a positive impact.

                On the other hand, a chimpanzee and gorilla parts could easily be trafficked without officials paying much interest and this was the main products they trafficked. Experts hold this a  big challenge for chimp conservation because the great apes are equally threatened with extinction and therefore may be failing to attract the kind of interest it needs for its protection. The Dja Faunal Reserve where the animals were probably killed is a UNESCO world heritage site that is facing big challenges although  numerous conservation initiatives are presently ongoing in and around the reserve. It is attracting the attention of traffickers because it is one of the last remaining refuges for wild apes and many other endangered species in the region.

                Chimpanzees are totally protected wildlife species by the 1994 wildlife law which stipulates that anyone found in possession of parts of a protected wildlife species is considered to have killed the animal. The aim is to protect animals like the chimpanzee that is facing serious problems with poaching as 32 chimpanzee skulls have been seized since the beginning of this year during operations carried out under the framework of the wildlife law enforcement initiative started by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) in 2003 to effectively enforce the laws. MINFOF is working hard to ensure that those responsible for the slaughter and sale of chimpanzee parts are prosecuted because their acts infringe the wildlife law.