Central African Republic hit by poachers

Abstract

Until recently the Central African Republic was home to many large tusked elephants, and one of the largest populations of black rhinos. These conditions were favoured by an excellent habitat and little land use pressure by man. The years following independence saw massive inroads into many areas and Sudanese poachers began to enter the CAR to hunt elephants and rhinos with spears and later with firearms. The last year of the reign of President Bokassa saw the formation of a near monopoly of the trade in ivory by the La Couronne's Society with approximately 200 tons of ivory being exported in 1978. With the collapse of the Society, successors to the ivory trade were numerous resulting in a widespread decimation of the species with 150 tons being exported in 1982. The best hope for both elephants and rhinos lies with the management of Gounda-St. Floris National Park which is being run by a private corporation on a long term contract.