The loss of lions and elephants in the extreme-northern Waza Park is worring Cameroonian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and scientists at the Cameroon Centre for Environment and Development Studies (CEDC).
The CEDC scientists who just carried out a study in the country’s biggest park “regretted the unexplained extinction of certain animal species, namely lions and elephants”.
“At least, over ten lions and as many elephants die each year, usually killed by poachers”, they said in an official note addressed to the Cameroonian government.
Besides the poachers’ actions, the NGOs, the scientists, as well as the residents who consider this park as their leading source of wealth as regards the flow of tourists, denounce “other forms of trafficking which deprive the park of its most emblematic animals”.
According to them, the prevailing situation is favored by the conflict of competence and the disinterest of the Environment, Nature preservation, Forests and Fauna ministries.
The lions and the elephants are part of the animals which attract more tourists to Cameroon.
Their extinction would undoubtedly lead to serious economic consequences to the residents whose main activities tie on tourism as well as to the state which could loss important income yielded from these various businesses.
Source African Press Agency
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