Poaching : crisis situation

Poaching is the hunting, killing, capturing, photographing and/or filming of wildlife in a state forest or private Forest (property of a third party) without authorization from the competent authority in-charge. Poaching is totally prohibited in the PAs (National Parks, Sanctuaries, FMUs etc) (see also Art 85, Law 94).

Most of protected areas, hotspot of biodiversity are surrounded by riparian communities depending directly or indirectly of the forest for protein and income necessities. This community hunt in an unsustainable manner and in violation of park policy. In addition, huge quantities of bushmeat are being transported towards the town to supply high demand. A big transboundary trafficking of bushmeat is also done towards the neighboring country (Nigeria).

Unfortunately, Poaching has a devastating effect on wildlife and the environment, leads to a drastic reduction of wildlife population and extinction of some key species (Elephant, Chimpanzee, Drill, Red-colobus, Buffalos…). At the rate things are going, tomorrow our kids will be talking about elephants and monkeys as we talk about mammoths and dragons.

Nevertheless, every wild animal and plant species has the right to exist and it is duty of Administration and each citizen to safeguard these natural heritage (Article 62, EML-96). These natural resources shall be managed rationally to meet the needs of the present generations without compromising the capacity of future generations to meet their own needs (Sec. 63, EML-96) For this purpose, all animal species in Cameroon are classified into three classes A,B and C (Section 78, FWFR-94). The species in class A (Elephante, Gorilla, Pangoline, …) shall be totally protected and may on no occasion be killed (Art 78-2) except in situations of self-defense and/or protection of human and their property (Sec. 82 & 83 FWFR-94). Class B species shall be protected and may be hunter, captured or killed on grant of a hunting permit (Sec. 78 -3, FWFR-94) and Class species shall be partially protected but their hunting, capture or killing especially for subsistence shall regulated (Sec. 78-4, FWFR-94). 

Hence, any person found, at any time or any place, in possession of a whole or part of a live or dead class A or B protected animal, shall be considered to have captured or killed the animal (Sec. 101-1, FWFR-94). Consequently, a fine from 3,000,000 Frs to 10,000,000Frs CFA  or imprisonment from 1 to 3 years or both fine and imprisonment shall be imposed on whoever commits offences on protected animals (Sec. 158, FWFR-94). It shall be forbidden to Hunt; at night, with search lamps, head lamps, fires, poisoned baits, drugs, fixed guns, dane guns, or involved in importation, sales and circulation of hunting lamps (Sec. 80, FWFR – 94) the contravention of which shall attract fines of 200,000 to 1,000,000 CFA or imprisonment of 1 to 6 months or both such fines and imprisonment (sec. 156).

Causes of poaching: source of protein, source of income, ready market/consumers, for cultural reasons/trophies, fame, retaliation to HWC

Target Group (TG): Poachers, Bush meat dealers (Locals and foreigners)

Effects: Drastic reduction of wildlife population, Extinction of some key species (Elephant, Chimpanzee, Drill, Red-colobus, Buffalos, Giant Pangolin, etc. ), Accompanied degradation and deforestation, Reduce touristic potential/research, Accidents