Metro

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

Published

2 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

Click to comment

Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda

Published

14 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

“As a representative of the deaf community, I believe digital rights should be inclusive. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, should enjoy these rights through various devices to express themselves and participate in national discourse,” he asserted.

He also called for the recognition of sign language as the eighth national language, aligning with United Nations conventions that mandate sign language interpreters at all events to promote inclusivity.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda (video)

Published

15 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.