The President of Chad has reportedly sent armed forces into the region where at least 30 elephants were slaughtered last week — but the action has not yet stopped the killing.
200 soldiers in helicopters and pickup trucks were dispatched to the Mayo Lemie – Chari Baguirmi area, according to Dr. Laurel Neme on Mongabay.com. Investigators are also in the process of determining if this atrocity is linked to alleged Janjaweed militia operating in Zakouma National Park.
Stephanie Vergniault of SOS Elephants told Mongabay.com that a local ivory trafficking syndicate uses “cars with tinted glasses with no numbers on their cars to supply the poachers with weapons and food” so they can stay hidden in the bush.
SOS Elephants is calling for the establishment of a permanent Mobile Brigade for the Protection of Wildlife and a security cordon around the area where the massacre occurred or establishment of a formal protected area in the Chari-Baguirmi-Mayo- Lemié area.
Sadly, less than 24 hours ago, Vergniault posted on the SOS Elephants Facebook group that despite the army’s presence, the gang continued to fire on the elephants.
“I have no idea how many carcasses. We will count them tomorrow,” writes Vergniault.
Find out how you can help at SOS Elephants.
See also:
- 30 Elephants Slaughtered in Chad, Pro-Trade Lobby Pushes Ivory Agenda
- Report: Asian, African Countries Failing to Control Illegal Wildlife Trade
- U.S. Senate Hearing: Elephant Killings, Ivory Trade Undermining Global Security
Image by Ciell via Wikimedia Commons
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.