Despite successes, Congo Basin forests being ‘emptied’ of their elephants

Authorities protecting the Gabonese segment of Central Africa’s biggest forest elephant stronghold captured a record number of poachers last week. However, “terrifying” intelligence gathered from those arrested show wildlife criminals still have the upper hand in the battle to save Central Africa’s elephants.
A total of 17 poachers were arrested between January 16 and January 23 in the Gabonese side of the Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) Landscape, an area encompassing Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, recognized as a priority place for biodiversity conservation, according to Joseph Okouyi, a senior warden at the Gabonese National Parks Agency.

Pauwel De Wachter, WWF Central Africa Tridom Coordinator, stands beside the remains of a female forest elephant that was shot and killed by an army officer for its ivory. The officer was later caught by ecoguards and charged.  (C) WWF-Canon/Mike Goldwater

But, Okouyi warned that “terrifying” intelligence collected from those arrested hinted that TRIDOM was being emptied of its elephants, and that the only effective way to win the war against poachers is through effective regional and international cooperation.
More Resources to preserve Central Africa’s elephants
“Last year we had 20 operational ecogards at our disposal to patrol an area which at more than 12,000 square kilometers is equivalent to a country the size of Jamaica,” Okouyi said.
“Now we have 43 ecogards. We have two times more capacity.”
“With more men you have more patrols and cover more ground. Not only does this result in more arrests, but it sends a strong signal to poachers that we are here.”
With up to 40,000 elephants, the TRIDOM Landscape is home to Africa’s largest forest elephant population. Unfortunately it is also one of the most dangerous places in the world for elephants, with dozens being killed every day for their ivory.
Central African forests are being “emptied” of their elephants
“Although we are happy with these arrests, terrifying information we have obtained indicates that we have only chipped the tip of the iceberg of elephant killings in this part of Central Africa,” Okouyi said.
Okouyi explained that one of the individuals in custody said that a hunting party was usually composed of at least three hunters, seven to ten porters and a representative of the buyer. A hunting party, he added, ended when each porter carried 40 kilograms of ivory – worth up to $70,000 per hunting party.
Okouyi explained that one of the individuals in custody said that a hunting party was usually composed of at least three hunters, seven to ten porters and a representative of the buyer. A hunting party, he added, ended when each porter carried 40 kilograms of ivory – worth up to $70,000 per hunting party.
“This can represent up to 40 dead elephants per hunting party,” Huijbregts said. “The forests of Central Africa are being emptied of their elephants.”
The need for more collaboration
But Gabonese wildlife authorities are not just facing an enemy with incredible numbers. There is the added difficulty that many of the actors originate from- and partly operate in other countries, reflecting the transnational aspect of illegal wildlife crime.
“It is unfortunate but true that many of the poachers and many of their bosses in north Gabon are Cameroonian nationals and operate from villages and towns north of the border, as well as its port Douala and its capital Yaoundé,” Okouyi said.
“We also know that some of these hunting parties are commissioned by Chinese nationals.”
“This is why it is so important that we increase our collaboration with neighboring countries, especially Cameroon, but also with specialized international law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL,” Okouyi added.
According to WWF, it is the rising demand for ivory in countries like Thailand and China that is pushing poachers to hunt elephants at unprecedented levels.
“Collaborating with demand countries like China and Thailand is therefore essential to stop demand which is the root cause of these massive elephant killings,” he concluded.
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