Metro

Gabon begins anti-poaching operations. See what villagers think about it

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2022

In response to cases of increased poaching activity in some parts of Gabon, authorities have launched an operation in search of weapons belonging to potential poachers.

The campaign, which is led by Jerry Ibala Mayombo was initially formed in 2020 through a partnership between Gabon’s ministry for Water and Forests, a Belgian NGO called Conservation Justice, and a Swiss-Gabonese sustainable forestry firm, Precious Woods CEB.

“We’ve observed strong poaching activities in these areas so we had to be present on the ground to regulate these activities”, said the brigade leader, Mayombo.

According to a World Bank report, Gabon alone has 13 national parks teeming with numerous animal species, including the world’s largest leatherback turtle population. However, many of these species, even those in protected areas, are being threatened by poachers. This is the case with forest elephants, whose numbers have plummeted by almost 80 percent in just 10 years.

A truck driver Alain Moussavou whose vehicle was inspected by the authorities told journalists that an anti-poaching campaign “is necessary because we have a lot of animals in the area and then the natives. It’s true that there are people who try to make a living out of it (hunting), but there are those who do a little more. I think it’s often good”

Many of the locals stress the conditions that have made preserving the animals for the villages given the potential damage some of them could cause at a session organized by Belgian NGO Conservation Justice who are explaining the hunting restrictions and how to deal with these.

“Elephants are more important than us. So we are just going to die as they come to eat our food in the village… We don’t have the means! We don’t work.
I don’t have money to buy the rice, the crops are destroyed…” laments local villagers Hélène Benga who has experienced problems in the past.

Another villager, Léon Ndjanganoye, argued that “we can preserve them. But what if I’m going to go to the bush and a gorilla confronts me. I have my rifle. Am I going to let him do it? An elephant destroys my plantation, I have a bullet in my rifle, do you think I’ll take pity on the elephant?”

Related Topics:Anti-poaching operations Featured Gabon Poaching

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

13 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.