TECHNICAL MEETING OF THE CITES BUSHMEAT WORKING GROUP

IN CENTRAL AFRICA

Douala, Cameroon

July 5-6, 2001

Summary Report

1. Introduction

July 5 to July 6 2001, a technical meeting of the CITES Central African Bushmeat Working Group [CBWG] was held at the Hotel Sawa in Douala. This meeting, the second of the kind since the CITES COP held in April 2000 in Naïrobi (Kenya) included the participation of national bushmeat focal points and the CITES bushmeat working group coordinators and other interested partners (Appendix 1). Chaired by M. Agnagna Marcellin, regional Coordinator of the CITES bushmeat working group, this meeting dealt with the following points:

• Introductory word: objective of the meeting, introduction of participants
• Brief presentation of the bushmeat situation in each country
• Identification of the functional needs of focal points and mechanisms for a communication network
• Elaboration of the TOR for the study on the laws and policies dealing with wildlife in the region.
• Analysis of the plans of action
• Examination of suggestions for TOR
• Development of recommendations

2. Objective of the meeting and introduction of participants

In his introduction, M. Agnagna, after welcoming all the participants, recalled the way in which the working group has worked from April 2000to the present. According to M. Agnagna, the focal points need to be active on the ground. This is the importance of the present meeting, the goal of which is: to develop a mechanism to activate the bushmeat focal points.

During the introductions, Marcellin Agnagna announced his departure from the Wildlife Directorate of the Congo for Naïrobi (Kenya) where he will be working with the « Lusaka Agreement Tasks Force ». In the name of the Committee of Directors of Wildlife and Protected Areas of the region, M. Koulagna Koutou Denis congratulated and thanked M. Agnagna Marcellin for the tasks accomplished in the framework of this Working Group and at the regional level to advance the conservation of wildlife and protected areas of the region In his new post M. Agnagna will be in a position to continue to support the management of wildlife and protected areas of the region.

3. The principal points discussed

3.1. The bushmeat situation in each country

Each focal point presented briefly a report on bushmeat in his country (Annex 2). After hearing the different presentations, it became clear that the bushmeat situation in the region is rather serious and the problems are very similar. Among the principal points of similarity identified were: ·

• Strong demand for bushmeat in the urban centers.
• All species of animals are hunted (in addition to ungulates) including protected species such as elephant, gorilla, etc.
• The forest extractive industries and air and rail transport companies are vectors of poaching.
• Bushmeat still remains an important source of animal protein for the rural populations of the forest zones.
• The causes of poaching are economic (unemployment, monetary income, etc.) and socio-cultural (food habits, culture of hunting), even scientific for development of serums (Case observed in the Cameroon but remains to be verified).

From the discussion that followed the different reports, it appeared important to:

• clarify the idea of the "traditional hunt"
• encourage regional collaboration
• identify the means and the targets for sensitization and education on the bushmeat issue
• develop a mechanism to manage wildlife and bushmeat information (set up a database).

3.2. Identification of functional needs of focal points and communication mechanisms

It appeared important to formalize the work group and define the roles of the coordinator and focal points before focusing on their functional needs. The idea of formalizing the CBWG with an office and a permanent coordinator will assure visibility and effectiveness for the group at the regional level. Filling this post with one of the Directors of Wildlife can limit the efforts and compromise the continuity of the work, since a wildlife director can be changed at any moment. The focal points must translate the big resolutions into activities on the ground.

It was decided to adopt a structure such as the MIKE program, that is: establishment of a permanent post of coordinator to be hired for a set period and placed under the supervision of the Management Committee of the CBWG.

Responsibilities of the coordinator

• Coordinate and supervise the work of the focal points;
• Act as the liaison between the focal points, the CITES and the other partners;
• Assure the liaison between the national administrations;
• Consolidate the regional data base;
• Elaborate the TOR and supervise the activities of the consultant;
• Develop a sub-regional strategy;
• Assure a liaison with other regional initiatives;
• Represent the working group in international fora;
• Initiate education and sensitization programs: production of media messages such as posters, films, T-shirts, gadgets, etc.
• Prepare and present the report of the working group to the CITES COP and to the Management Committee of the CITES bushmeat working group;
• Develop, coordinate and implement a budget for the focal points.

Responsibilities of the focal point

• Assemble the necessary documentation: texts of laws, scientific publications, study reports, etc.
• Coordinate and supervise the national-level initiatives and act as liaison with the consultant and other researchers
• Organize the national evaluation workshops
• Set up and manage the database
• Disseminate the information on bushmeat to all the national stakeholders;
• Act as liaison with the national coordinator
• Implement the national program of sensitization
• Prepare the national technical reports

 

Identified needs

To make the focal points more effective, the working group has identified three types of needs on the basis of suggestions by the focal point of Cameroon (Annex 3). These are:

• Office, research and communication equipment: computers, printers, photocopiers, scanners, modems, fax/telephone, e-mail and internet access.
• Office supplies for the focal point that include: expendable supplies, travel (both national and international), administrative and management expenses (compensation and technical assistance).
• Education and training on: management of databases, planning, monitoring (inventory techniques, follow-up evaluation), intelligence, information and law enforcement techniques and processes.

3.3. Elaboration of the TOR for the study of the wildlife laws and policies in the countries of the region

The objective of this study is to harmonize the policies and legislation dealing with bushmeat in the sub-region. To harmonize wildlife management policies in this study, it will be necessary to:

• Review (analyze and synthesize) existing texts;
• Prepare recommendations for changes to the current laws in force, taking into account:
• CITES
• The bushmeat crisis
• The regional dimension (the Yaoundé declaration and harmonization plan)
• Participatory management dimension (community involvement)
• Placing a more accurate value on national wildlife resources

• To propose a framework to address the following issues at the center of the problem of wildlife management: traditional hunting, subsistence hunting, commercial hunting, and rights of usage
• Propose actions to organize and regulate hunting practiced by the local populations.

3.4. Analysis of the Action Plan

The action plan elaborated during the January 2001 meeting in Douala (Appendix 4) was reviewed and the principal points discussed. Many of the points in the plan have already been accomplished or are being addressed currently (activities 1.2, 7.1, 8, and 9). Some points raised concerning the following activities:

• Point 1.1 on the responsibility of focal points;
• Point 1.3 : the consultant will have to have a legal background with a mastery of environmental questions and experience in the conservation and the management of wildlife;
• Point 2. Suggest names to identify a consultant;
• Points 4 and 5 will be addressed after the work of the consultant;
• Point 6 constitutes on-going, permanent work;
• It is recommended that an NGO working in the region conduct the study described in point 7;
• It is recommended that the group approach Elkan and Bastin for the TOR on points 11 and 12.

3.5. Examination of the TOR

All the TORs must include in addition to the work objective, the details of work, the expected results and the profile of the consultant. The different TORs (Annex 5) have be quickly finalized and sent to the CITES.

• The relevant TORs have been examined and adopted without major modification.
• TOR on the feasibility of the creation of an Office of Wildlife Management and Protected Areas –
• Analyze the current institutional framework
• Propose a model for an institutional framework adapted to the countries of the region
• Propose a mechanism for this office (organization, resources and mandate)
• Evaluate the costs of the creation of an office and propose financing mechanisms
• Identify potential financing sources.

4. Discussion of recommendations

As a result of the discussions during the meeting, the group formulated the following recommendations:

• Put at the disposal of the CITES bushmeat working group the material and financial means necessary to accomplish its mandate;
• Formalize the CITES bushmeat working group through the creation of and support for the post of coordinator;
• Produce posters, films, documentaries, t-shirts, etc.) to support sensitization of the bushmeat issue;
• Support for the process of administrative reform of the offices in charge of wildlife and protected areas with a view to the creation of autonomous management authorities;
• Intensive training for the staff (focal points) charged with the bushmeat issue on the set up and the management of data bases;
• Organize short-term classes and internships on the bushmeat problem and CITES for wildlife management agents, university students, and law enforcement officers;
• Support the process of reform of the Wildlife School of Garoua, Cameroon, with a view to raising the level of education and training for the classes;
• Establish an exchange program for the regional focal points;
• Develop regional synergies with partners involved in the bushmeat problem (Lusaka Agreement, PRGIE, OCFSA, etc.);
• Encourage the participation of regional focal points in regional and international seminars and meetings on the questions bushmeat and of wildlife management.

5. Conclusion

M. Agnagna reminded the participants that the bushmeat question is a major concern at the international level and that Central Africa is the most involved; it is therefore important that the focal points of the region show much dynamism and self-sacrifice in accomplishing their tasks. Above all, one should not "lower arms" and leave other institutions or persons to play the leading role in this problem of bushmeat that concerns this region above all. Congratulating and thanking the participants to this second technical meeting, M. Agnagna closed the meeting of the CBWG.

 

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APPENDICES

 

CITES BUSHMEAT WORKING GROUP

DOUALA 5 AND 6 JULY 2001

List of participants

NAMES	FUNCTION	COUNTRY	ADDRESS (e-mail, téléphone, boîte postale)
AGNAGNA Marcelin	Coordonnateur du BWG/CITES Afrique Centrale	Congo	marcelinagnagna@yahoo.fr Tél : (254) 60 97 91
EBAYI Bonaventure	Chef de Bureau National Lusaka Task Agreement Point Focal BWG Officier national MIKE	Congo	BP 98 (1253) Brazzaville Tél : (242) 62 87 84
ENGONGA Osono	Point Focal BWG	Guinée équatoriale	Ministère de Forêts, Pêche et Environnement Malabo Tél : (240) 9 42 89/7 39 70 Fax : (240) 9 29 05
KABALA TSHIKALA Francois	Chef de Division Chasse	RDC	Direction de la gestion forestière et de la chasse fkabala@caramail.com
NOUNGOU Adrien	Chef de Service Faune	Gabon	BP 1128 Libreville Tél : (241) 76 14 44
KOULAGNA KOUTOU Denis	Directeur	Cameroun	Direction de la Faune et des Aires protégées MINEF Yaoundé Tél : (237) 23 92 28 Fax : (237) 23 92 36 dfap.minef@camnet.cm
ETOGA Gilles	Point Focal BWG	Cameroun	Direction de la Faune et des Aires protégées MINEF Yaoundé Tél : (237) 23 92 28 Fax : (237) 23 92 36 etogagilles@yahoo.fr dfap.minef@camnet.cm
MOUNCHAROU Georges	Officier national MIKE	Cameroun	Direction de la Faune et des Aires protégées MINEF Yaoundé Tél : (237) 23 92 28 Fax : (237) 23 92 36 gem@camnet.cm dfap.minef@camnet.cm
FOTSO Roger	Directeur	Cameroun	WCS/Cameroon Biodiversity Programme BP 3055 Messa Yaoundé Tél : (237) 20 26 45 wcscam@aol.com

 

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BRIEF REPORT ON THE BUSHMEAT SITUATION BY COUNTRIES

1. The current bushmeat trade in Gabon by Adrien NO NGO
   
   
• Exists in all the urban centers of Gabon ·
• most of the species of mammals are commercially marketed; therefore this commercial taking must be understood to elaborate conservation strategies
• commercial hunting represents a threat to the protected species of Gabon ·
• It is probable that the rate of hunting of other species represents a significant threat ·
• Demand for bushmeat in Libreville is not simply an economic choice, therefore the habits and customs of the population are implicated in their choice to consume the bushmeat ·
• does not represent the totality of hunted animals, simply a part (for the moment not quantified) of the total number of animals hunted.
  
  

It is imperative that the bushmeat network be better understood to devise conservation strategies for wildlife species, especially mammals. With the least delay, we should improve and encourage in-depth:

• studies of the quantities of animals removed ·
• economic studies of the basis of the commerce ·
• studies of the relation between the commercial markets and the total consumption

 

2.Situation of Equatorial Guinea by Osono ENGONGA

Equatorial Guinea is divided in two parts: continental and insular. More than 70% of the population lives in the rural zone and depends on hunting (commercial or subsistence). This population hunts without respect for texts and laws in force; protected species such as gorillas, chimpanzees, crocodiles and elephants are actively hunted. Currently, the level of consumption of bushmeat in Equatorial Guinea is high.

Despite this situation, the Government of Equatorial Guinea takes measures to regulate the trade; for example, a law on protected areas has just been published as well as a law on the regulation of the hunt of wildlife. The project CUREF (Conservation and Rational Use of the Forest Ecosystems) in the process of being implemented intends to create a National Institute of Protected Areas (INAP), among other things.

 

3. Situation in Congo Brazzaville by Bonaventure EBAYI

The Congo, a country of Central Africa, has an area of 345 000 km2, with 60% forest cover. The Congolese forests subdivide themselves in three principal parts, the massifs of Chaillu and Mayombe to the south and the big forest area of the north. The wildlife there is very diversified with more than 600 types of birds inventoried, 2000 insects and more than 154 species of identified mammals. The Congolese forest with its important biological potential constitutes a refuge for a good number of species of wildlife and of wild flora. One finds there the most important populations of low-land gorillas of all the central African region and also strong concentrations of chimpanzees. It is a true biodiversity reservoir and the principal source of vital resources for the populations of forest zones. These populations, lacking a pastoral tradition, draw the essentials of life from the natural environment. Nevertheless subsistence hunting has given way these days to a lucrative commercial activity that surpasses the national borders. In the Congo as in other Central African countries, the commerce of meat from wildlife becomes a daily occupation for good number of citizens that find there an easy way to make money. Even if the exploitation of timber resources constitutes the most significant activity for the country, the bushmeat trade would not now be neglected. The position is of concern as it threatens the survival of a good number of species of wildlife; with the imminent risk of depriving entire populations of a vital and essential resource. The exhaustion of the resource could generate famine in the forest regions with a weak agricultural base.

Motivations

Several motivations favor the development of the bushmeat commerce. The principal are: - unemployment - the growing demand for bushmeat - poverty – need for food - ignorance – ease of access to formerly inaccessible hunting zones – influx of money in long time isolated towns, by the logging and exploitative corporations of forest products. It is true of course that in most of our countries, especially in the forest zones, the populations produce very little and draw the essentials of life from the natural environment. Nevertheless this sustainable subsistence use, without real danger for the maintenance of natural balances, has progressively been transformed into a lucrative activity of very big breadth. The bushmeat commerce has become the principal source of income for a big part of our fellow-countrymen, especially in the zones that have known a demographic explosion. The development of the timber industry has moved significant human mass and money into formerly unpopulated places, inducing sudden changes in the village communities’ habits and behaviors.

In fact, the northern part of the country has experienced during the last decade an explosion with the development of the timber industry. The area in exploitation is in constant growth. Almost all the forests on firm earth have been yielded to the forest exploitation enterprises. Cities of several thousands are created and develop right in the middle of totally virgin forest on formerly uninhabited sites. This is the case of the cities of Ndoki I and Ndoki II created by the corporation CIB (Congolese Industrial Wood) in the region of the Sangha.

Situation of the bushmeat trade

The bushmeat trade, although practiced on a large national scale is a completely illegal activity. The national legislation on exploitation and the conservation of wildlife does not provide for any disposal or marketing of bushmeat. Despite that, the commerce of bushmeat is openly practiced and on many varied levels, from simple exchanges between inhabitants of the same region of small quantities of meat to exports of several tons. The bushmeat is continually sold in the big markets of urban centers at all seasons. The distribution patterns are more and more complex and escape the efforts of official agents to suppress the trade.

It is established that the principal backers of this illicit commerce are often well- placed persons of a certain notoriety or in responsible positions in the administration or politics. These persons furnish weapons and munitions as well as other products to their representatives in the hinterland that in turn organize and employ bands of poachers. These are true enterprises that work in a harmonious way and occupy several persons. The activity is so profitable that many people are interested and specialize in it. In all the markets of the country there are bushmeat salesmen or specialized merchants. The product sells quickly despite the very high prices. In Brazzaville, for example, a kilogram of bushmeat costs 4000 to 5000 FCFA, out of reach of the majority of families.

Situation in the south of the country

The south of the country has been the most affected, but still has places with wildlife in the forests of the Mayombe and Chaillu massifs. The Kouilou, Lékoumou and Niari regions are the most involved in the bushmeat trade. In the Lékoumou for example the surrounding towns supply the city of Sibiti, with 35,000 inhabitants of which 80% consume bushmeat daily. Kouilou, the city of Pointe Noire, economic capital of the region, is one of the biggest bushmeat consumption centers. A 1996 study of the protected areas by the management and conservation project (PROGECAP/GEF-Congo) revealed that more than 150000 tonnes of bushmeat are sold yearly on the big markets of Pointe Noire. The bushmeat sold in Pointe Noire originates largely from the wildlife reserve of Conkouati, which is subjected to intensive poaching, due to its proximity, and also from forests in the neighborhood of Nkola where timber logging work-sites exist. The city of Dolisie in Niari is also another big center, especially as in the region forest activity is very intensive. Around Brazzaville, the Pool region has been completely devastated, the bushmeat sold on the markets in Brazzaville originates in the regions north of the country and also in the wildlife reserve of Léfini that is situated about 200 km from Brazzaville.

Situation in the north of the country

The north of the country with 90% of forest cover contains the most wildlife and an immense potential in biological resources. One finds there the most significant populations of big mammals in the whole sub-region of Central Africa, notably the big primates (gorillas, chimpanzees). Nevertheless this patrimony is strongly threatened by the bushmeat trade. The absence of a pastoral tradition leads the people of northern Congo to rely on natural resources of the environment for their livelihood. Nevertheless one notes with bitterness the development of as active a bushmeat commerce at the local level as in other localities. In the region of the Sangha for example the cities Ouesso and Pokola (base of forest exploitation corporation CIB) are true markets. The opening of forest roads across the borders has created the conditions leading to the internationalization of illicit traffic of wildlife products. Significant trade takes place with Cameroon, from Pokola to Douala through Yokadouma. Ouesso, city of 18,000 inhabitants is supplied daily from the surrounding localities by river as well as by road; but only 20% of the meat is consummed locally. The remainder (80%) is exported east towards Brazzzaville by airplane. Each airplane leaving Ouesso transports on average four (4) tones of bushmeat, or 12 tonnes a week as there are three weekly flights. More than 85% of the households consume bushmeat daily.

Pokola, a city of intense forest activity with a population of more than 9000 inhabitants, is also a big bushmeat center; bushmeat is consumed daily in most of the households. Nevertheless it exchanges significant quantities of bushmeat with the Cameroon through timber transport trucks. More than twenty (20) vehicles leave Pokola for Douala daily and also transport bushmeat.

In the Likouala, the city of Impfondo, the biggest population center of the region with about 14,000 inhabitants consumes on average four (4) tones of bushmeat a day. The forest work-sites of this region mostly border the Central African Republic and constitute distribution points. Bands of well organized poachers from CAR have installed themselves in Congolese territory to the north of the national Park of Nouabalé-Ndoki and alongside the forest roads and supply the cities of Nola, Mbaiki, and Bangui; more than five (5) tonnes of meat crosses the border daily.

Impact of the bushmeat trade on the wildlife and protected areas

Affected species:

Almost all mammals are concerned as well as birds and reptiles. The antelopes (céphalophes) and the primates constitute most of the game currently and still the easiest to attain. The blue duiker and the Peters duiker (Cephalophus monticola and Cephalophus callypigus) are the most abundant on the markets especially in the north of the country. Besides these types of small and average size, it is not rare to find on the market potamochère, gorilla, chimpanzee, buffalo, elephant or hippopotamus meat. Some species previously found have disappeared from their distribution zone. This is the case of the cobe onctueux or Kobus defassa in the reserves of Mount Fouari and Conkouati. Hippopotamus, formerly present in all the big bodies of water of the country has become only a legendary animal in the south of the country (Pool, Kouilou, Niari). The lamantin, a very rare species, is hunted for bushmeat in the Kouilou region, its unique distribution zone. The Pool region is one of the most affected; one finds there hardly any mammal of big size or of average size. The region of plateaus in which the Léfini reserve is located has not been spared; the populations of lions that one met there by the dozens have disappeared several years ago. Gorilla and chimpanzee meat is appreciated by certain ethnic groups in the south as well as in the north of the country. The gorillas and the chimpanzees are more and more rare in the forests Mayombe and Chaillu to the south. Even if the forests of the north Congo still contain significant gorilla and chimp populations, they are not saved from human predation. In the region of the Likouala for example the Bomitabas has a preference for the gorilla meat.

The protected areas and refuges

Several protected areas have suffered a very pronounced degradation due to bushmeat poaching; some very striking examples are:

• The Mount Fouari wildlife reserve, formerly site of plentiful game with a rich and very diverse wildlife is a reserve now only in name. The absence of guards and necessary management resources have given free rein class to poachers of all sorts who have almost entirety emptied this reserve of its initial biological potential.
• - The wildlife reserve of Conkouati, which became the national Park of Conkouati-Douli is subjected to pressures of all sorts due to its proximity with the city of Pointe Noire. Poachers operate there with no problems and supply the city of Pointe Noire. The biggest part of meat on the market in Pointe Noire originates in Conkouati that suffers already from other hazards of forest exploitation.
• - The biosphere reserve of Dimonika is another protected area that deteriorates progressively since the GEF financing decree of the GEF-Congo. The presence of the gold miners in this site constitutes another degradation factor. The poachers have installed themselves in the camps to furnish the gold miners with bushmeat.
• - 200 km from Brazzaville, the capital, is the reserve of Léfini, one of the olderst and largest wildlife reserves in the country. Nevertheless commercial poaching is emptying Lefini of its wildlife. Due to its proximity and accessibility, it has become a preferred site for poachers since the bushmeat can get to market quickly in fresh condition and thus sell better (with more value).
• - The national park of Nouabalé-Ndoki which is currently surrounded by forest concessions is suffering the pressures of poaching activities in the surrounding concessions, for the work-sites are potential bushmeat markets and centers for the illicit traffic of the products of the wildlife (trophies).

Generally, it is established that the illicit bushmeat trade has a negative impact on the protected areas.

Consequences for the village communities

As already noted, the peoples of the African forest, for lack of pastoral tradition, take their living needs from the natural environment that is the forest. In the northern part of the Congo, for example, bushmeat supplies more than 50% of the population its principal source of animal protein. The taking of wildlife for subsistence consumption in the village has never been a danger for the wildlife. The rural populations knew to manage their territory as well as the natural resources that were found there. These traditional values have been abandoned to give place to a consumption culture and to the development of an unprecedented commercial spirit. The development of the bushmeat trade has caused the decline of game in certain regions of the country. The means used for hunting game are more and more complex and artificial. More game is hunted to increase income. The effort needed to hunt game is increasing. Yesterday the peasant could find game behind his house to nourish himself and his family; these days, it is necessary to traverse tens of kilometers even in remote places. The game becomes rare and to obtain it, a preliminary investment is needed, which is beyond the reach of the peasant who has no disposable income. The peasant can no longer find free wild meat, he must buy it to nourish himself; which is not easy if one considers his buying power. The disappearance of game animals has caused the break-up of certain towns and famine among the village communities. The life in the town becomes more and more difficult to bear; there are no more substitution products available, especially for the inhabitants of the north. The bushmeat trade thus penalizes the rural populations that need this resource for their survival.

The legislation and the bushmeat trade

Even if the bushmeat trade is a current practice, the national legislation dealing with exploitation and conservation of wildlife does not allow for any legal sale or disposal. The law recognizes the right of local populations to use the natural resources that are in their territory for the satisfaction of their living needs, but does not allow for commercial use. In the eyes of the law, the bushmeat trade is a completely illegal activity; nevertheless the weakness of capacity to implement the law does not allow the exercise of pressures to put an end to this practice.

Solutions

1. At the legislative level: the national legislation dealing with conservation and exploitation of wildlife is being revised. Current laws have revealed themselves as inappropriate and difficult to apply. A new law is being drafted, and aspects of the consumption of bushmeat are treated as major preoccupations. The usage rights of local populations will have be clearly defined in the new law as well as the empowering of village communities in the management of their wildlife patrimony.
2. At the institutional level: institutional reforms are envisaged to try to ameliorate the capacity and effectiveness of administrative institutions in charge of the management of the wildlife and protected areas. An option is to consider the creation of an autonomous wildlife and protected areas management service given needed decision-making powers.
3. Organizational plan: A program of creation and development of village hunt zones has been launched. The village communities are completely involved in the management of natural resources (wildlife and flora).
4. Development of alternate activities around the protected areas: to lessen the pressure on the protected area, it is necessary to divert the attention of the village communities towards other activities and to enable them to forego the bushmeat trade. It will be necessary as well to obtain for them proteins substitution; game raising is encouraged and to promoted in order to meet food habits.
5. At the level of monitoring and surveillance: a program to check concession and reserve exits has been engaged. In Ouesso, for example, control operations at the airport have been launched by the forest administration in collaboration with WCS in order to fight against lthe export of bushmeat towards Brazzaville.
6. Forest enterprises have been obliged to recruit the guards for the supervision of concessions in order to limit the pressures of poaching and check the movement of wildlife products on the forest roads. This policy has provided quite satisfactory results. An example is the program management zones around the national park of Nouabalé-Ndoki in the UFA Kabo and of Pokola where the corporation operates.

 

Major difficulties in the fight against the bushmeat trade

Major difficulties in the application of the law and the fight against the bushmeat trade are as follows:

• the inadequacies of the law currently in force
• the lack of enough effective personnel to manage wildlife and protected areas does not allow for coverage of all the protected areas and the distribution paths
• low morale due to the fact that resources and the equipment are derisory or nonexistent.
• The weakness of allocated funds to the conservation of the wildlife
• - The protected areas, which have not benefited from external assistance, do not dispose of any budget and are being degraded due to commercial poaching.

Conclusion and recommendations

In the Congo, as in a number of countries of the Central African region, the bushmeat trade has become a true plague and threatens the survival not only of wildlife but also of human populations living in the forest zones. The problem is even more difficult in that most of the countries do not dispose any necessary credits for the supervision and protection of wildlife. Significant means and political pressure are needed to begin to fight efficiently against this curse.

It is necessary to attack the problem at the source. The international lectures that are organized on the question will have to multiply themselves and to be held regularly in the most affected countries in order to sensitize the political decision-makers, who do not seem to have yet understand the seriousness of the problem.

It is necessary to reinforce the capacity of national institutions in charge of the questions of the conservation of the wildlife.

The efforts and the means that are currently mobilized by the world have to be oriented towards the centers undergoing the most pressure.

The bushmeat trade in these countries is increasing. It is necessary to act now and fast, the life of good number of species is threatened in certain places of the country.

 

4. Situation in Cameroon by Gilles ETOGA

Introduction

The bushmeat problem constitutes one of the major challenges for conservation in this beginning millennium. The different aspects concerned are cultural, social, economic and even scientific. For each of them, valid motives for hunting will be found. In south–east Cameroon, for example, the cultural ceremony called Djengi cannot take place without elephant meat. The local people have a traditional saying that « for the Djengi to go out, an elephant must die ». Nevertheless bushmeat consumption has always taken place since the dawn of time and practiced on a subsistence basis, there was no danger of species disappearing. In the towns around the Wildlife reserve of Dja, 98% of the protein comes from bushmeat (Gartland, 1998 ). With the arrival of the industrial revolution in Africa during the colonial period, poaching appeared. Poaching particularly targeted the elephants for their ivory. The commercial hunt has known a boom with the growth of exploitation of forest resources through construction of forest work-sites, opening of tracks and roads, the transportation of and the hunt by and for the employees and their families. It is here that the first threats to certain species appear. In fact, the combination of certain factors such as the population boom, the economic crisis and poverty have made the demand for bushmeat too high for the potential available. Certain species are particularly targeted by poachers, such as elephants, the great apes and monkeys and the duikers. Nevertheless the Cameroon does not remain with folded arms facing this threat and a battery of instruments on the institutional, legislative and logistical plan is currently being put in place by MINEF to remedy it, although gaps exist and we hope to find certain of the necessary supports in this forum.

Current tendencies in the Cameroon

The targeted species: After much ground work, it appears clearly that the most targeted species are found among the duikers, elephants and the great apes and primates. A study in and around the Dja biosphere reserve (Sow and Amougou, 2000) shows that 80% of the take of hunters are from the Artiodactyls that are the order grouping together the family of the duikers. The primates represent 4% while this region has the biggest densities of great apes and monkeys in central Africa (1,9 individuals/km2 according to Wal and Nku 1999 and 1,6 according to Williamson and Usongo 1996) and the rodents about 5%. In another study by the WCS around the sanctuary Bayang-Mbo, the duikers represent 36% of all the animals found in the hands of hunters. The rodents are up to 13% and the primates to 10%. The study of WCS went further in trying to find the different percentages among the completely protected species. The principal results obtained are: Water Chevrotain 40%, Dwarf Crocodile 27%. The drills, chimpanzees and elephants are respectively 13%, 2% and 1%.

It is completely clear in terms of the number of animals killed that the duikers in general and the blue duikers in particular are those that are the most threatened. Nevertheless, in terms of biomass and effect on the ecosystem, slaughter of elephants and primates increased to such an extent that the administrators began to worry. Mark Van der Wall (1998) noted that around Dja, per year, 150 elephants and 44 gorillas are killed. Roger FOTSO (2000), noted a census of 84 elephants cut down in the course of the three last years in the vicinity of the sanctuary Bayang-Mbo. In the southeast Cameroon, Usongo and Ngeungeu (2000) speak of 350 killed elephants per year. The poachers prefer to hunt elephant instead of gorilla for two reasons: The first is the quantity of available meat for the same cartridge (2 to 6 tons for the elephant against 200 kg for a gorilla.). The second reason, is the value of the tusks.

The principal types of hunting:

Three types of hunting exist in Cameroon. The subsistence hunt, the commercial hunt and the sport hunt.

-Subsistence hunting is the recognized right of the rural populations to live on products of the forest. Nevertheless, there are a number of restrictions concerning protected species and the use of firearms and steel cable. Subsistence hunting is practiced by the rural populations for food and the elementary needs.

-Sport hunting is practiced by the safaris for western hunters in the framework of a sporting activity. The targeted species here are principally the big antelopes (Bongo, Buffalo, Eland), elephant and duikers. Firearms are used, open and closed seasons are respected and the activity is taxed. A part of the taxes paid by these safaris is currently transferred to the local communities.

-Commercial hunting, which is actually poaching, is practiced by true professionals that mostly are outsiders to the zone. They use steel cable for the traps and sometimes modern weapons of war. In a WCS study in the vicinity of the sanctuary Banyang-Mbo, the firearms represent 52% of the means used to kill the animals and the steel cable snares, 40%. These firearms are most often hand-crafted manufacture (72% according to Ecofac in the region of the Dja). The meat from this hunt is smoke-dried and transported towards the urban centers to sell. Well established transport and marketing networks exist in country to get the bushmeat to the places where it is sold.

The red zones: The zones of big poaching are the ones that have the densest population of animals. The creation of the protected areas as reservoir for biodiversity has been transformed into an attraction for the poachers that know they will find the resources there. Around the national and other wildlife reserve parks, a permanent fight unfolds itself between the guards and the poachers. The number of animals killed is disturbing enough. To take only the case of the Dja, Wall and Nku (1999) note 150 elephants and 44 gorillas killed per year while in the National Park of Lobeke, Usongo and Ngeugneu (2000) announce a figure of 120 killed elephants per year. The work zones of the forest concessions are themselves transformed also into places where a high level of animal kills take place, for the concessions are granted in places that have undergone very little disturbance and consequently are places of refuge for animals. The border zones are also places with a high rate of poaching, notably the border with the Congo and Nigeria due to the proliferation of firearms.

Capacities of the Cameroon to manage the problem

In order to deal with this crisis, the Cameroon has begun a number of legislative as well as institutional efforts.

The legislation: The legislative framework comprises three aspects:

• the classification of species by categories,
• the regulation of the hunt and
• law enforcement.

The classification of animals by categories:

The wildlife of Cameroon is divided into three categories, class A, B and C. The class A animals are completely protected. Class A animals are such species as the gorilla, the chimpanzee and the elephant. All hunting of animals of this class is punishable by law. Hunting of class B animals is regulated and a permit must be obtained. The hunt of those of the class C is regulated. The classification of animals is reviewed every five years by decree of the minister in charge of wildlife.

The regulation of the hunt:

Hunting activities in Cameroon are governed by the law 94/01 of 20 January and its application decrees which stipulate that to hunt, a valid hunting permit is necessary. There are three types of permit: The permit of small hunt, of average hunts and of big hunt. Each gives the right to a certain number of animals. Two categories of hunt are legally recognized in Cameroon. Subsistence hunting is the recognized right of use for the local populations for protein. This hunt concerns only the animals of the class C and does not take place except outside of the protected areas. Sport hunting takes place in zones rented to hunting guides. They are responsible for the sustainable management of the wildlife resources in the zone. It is necessary to add that this type of community managed hunting zone, where the management will be given to the local populations, are currently in the process of being created.

Law enforcement: Poaching is defined under Cameroonian law as all hunting without a permit, in a closed period, in protected areas or using prohibited hunting instruments. The poacher is found everywhere in every season in possession of all or what is left of a protected animal, living or dead, of the class A or B. The sanctions are the payment of a fine of cfa 50 000 to 200 000 and/or a jail sentence of 20 days to 2 month. These penalties will be doubled in cases of relapse or if the offences have been committed by sworn agents of the competent administrations or by police officers or with their complicity.

The institutional framework: the Cameroon has given itself a certain number of means to sustainably manage its wildlife which are all supported by a national anti-poaching strategy. The following actions were taken in accordance with this strategy: ·

• The creation of a national committee, a central office and of ten provincial brigades to fight against poaching. ·
• Allocation of staff and equipment to these structures. ·
• The creation of the protected areas with the goal of 30% coverage of the national territory. Country coverage went from 7,5% to 15% in two years with the recent creation of the national Park of LOBEKE. ·
• The signature of a cooperation grant with international organizations for support in implementing governmental policies concerning protection of key species. To accomplish this, ecoguards have been recruited, trained and put in place in the major protected areas of the Dja wildlife reserve, the national parks of Lobeké and of Campo ma’an.
• The establishment of a partnership agreement with the railway company CAMRAIL, for putting in place a structure to control wildlife transportation and permanent surveillance alongside the railroad. ·
• The signing of a partnership agreement with an aviation company for the overflight of the protected areas to increase surveillance of these areas. ·
• The launching of a vast country sensitization program for all social levels, by means of posters and leaflets throughout Cameroon and concerning the problems of poaching and the need to conserve threatened species of animals. ·
• The signature of conventions of collaboration with the rural populations in the framework of the participatory management of natural resources. In these conventions, the communities commit to collaborate in surveillance and monitoring while the administration assures them of rights of usage. ·
• Regional collaboration with Cameroon’s adherence to the different processes of the Congo basin such as the MIKE pilot project, the CITES bushmeat working group, the RAPAC (Network of protected areas of Central Africa). This regional collaboration was exemplified with the signature of the act creating the trinational park of the Sangha between the Cameroon, the Congo and the Central African Republic as the first Central African transborder protected area.

 

Recommendations:

Despite all the efforts made by the government of the Cameroon to resolve the bushmeat problem, there exist a number of problems that cannot be resolved without the support of international cooperation.

The institutional framework:

Cameroon did not have until now a biodiversity conservaton strategy, and has just proposed terms reference to implement a government policy. Nevertheless, a lot of elements in this strategy need improvement.

Personnel: A number of personnel engaged in the fight against poaching is aging and is not being replaced upon retirement. The Dja Wildlife reserve counts a staff of 60 persons for more than 500 000 hectares. The National Park of Lobeke counts 10 guards for 200 000 ha.

Logistics: although efforts are currently being undertaken at the level of the ministry to equip the services of the MINEF with the means of work, the quantities received remain very small. The vehicles and the work equipment are in insufficient quantity, when they exist. Communication is almost impossible between the protected areas and Yaoundé or between each other.

The international cooperation: The protection of the wildlife patrimony is not always the priority of development NGOs and other cooperation agencies that come to work in our country. The part of the budget of projects that goes to the fight against poaching is generally less than 5%. The priorities for these administrators seems to be studies and all types of consultations.

We here should use this occasion to remind each other that we have a common objective; that is, the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. This conservation happens through a distribution of tasks among which, the administration has the duty to protect the resource, for if the resource disappears, there will be no more study. The administrator cannot do his work unless you give him the means. We are conscious that the conservation projects have mostly limited means but it is necessary that use of these limited resources take place in a coordinated and cooperative way. We here wouild like to take the occasion to renew our thanks to the BCTF to have invited us to their planning workshop.

 

 

PRELIMINAIRY LIST OF NEEDS

OF THE FOCAL POINTS AND COORDINATORS

1. Computer Laptop and Printer (With professional Office 2000 and Arcview)
2. Internet access (Subscription)
3. Office Functions: Expendable supplies, gas, Internet costs, travel budget, monthly compensation.

 

TRAINING NEEDS

One of the big innovations of the new law was the introduction of the idea of participatory management, a result of the government’s realization of its inability to manage all the natural resources of the Cameroon on its own. Nevertheless implementation of this idea is delayed, due to a lack of trained personnel. Consequently, the MINEF staff are having trouble integrating the local populations in this participatory management concept due to lack of appropriate means. Another big gap for the MINEF is the absence of postgraduate education and training in the area of wildlife management. After the FASA, there are no further possibilities. The postgraduate education level covers only forestry and forest management with the goal of exploitation of forest resources (CRESA-DRINK). The most important and urgently-needed training currently would be: ·

• Development/training of populations (community development?)·
• environmental education
• collection and analysis of scientific data

These programs have be established for personnel at all the levels

• The creation of a postgraduate program in wildlife management.

One of the options if a wildlife postgraduate program is opened in Cameroon would be to manage the program in such a way as to allow researchers to teach the classes to help make up for the lack of teachers.

 

 

TOR FOR THE STUDY OF THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT OFFICES

OBJECTIVE:

In spite of a legislative framework reviewed in the new law 94/01 of 20 January 1994, Cameroon has been unable to implement a wildlife management plan, although a lot of potentially less well-endowed countries have done so.

The goal of this study is to determine whether through the creation of an office, wildlife management in Cameroon can be improved.

WORK PLAN ·

• To Identify the gaps in the current management system by focusing on the issues of wildlife conservation, use of wildlife, participatory management, research, and a financing system. ·
• List the functions of an office, while separating these functions from those of the ministry ·
• Define the juridical and institutional framework of an office.

 

EXPECTED RESULTS

In addition to the above points, the report should list the advantages of an office in comparison with the current management system, particularly in regards to the conservation and exploitation of wildlife, research and follow-up, receiving technical assistance through international cooperation, researching funds for possible financial help.

The consultant should be attached to the direction of the wildlife and protected areas. He will consult the report of the institutional review of the forest/environment sector currently being written in MINEF. His research will include countries having an office as a wildlife management organ (Nigeria, Kenya, France, RDC…).

PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

COST OF THE STUDY

 

 

TOR FOR A SENSITIZATION PLAN

OBJECTIVE

Sensitizaton is recognized as one of the sure means for a lasting solution to the bushmeat problem. The impact of raised awareness on all those concerned can, in the medium to long term, bring them to take bushmeat in sustainable proportions. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know how this work should be realized on the ground. The sensitizaton plan will have to enable us to find the means to reach the largest number of people.

WORK PLAN ·

• Evaluate the sensitizaton actions currently taking place in Cameroon in regards to wildlife
• Identify all the stakeholders ·
• Inventory the available sensitizaton tools
• Define for each concerned appropriate and adequate tools

The consultant will contact the direction of wildlife and protected areas for the different information.

RESULTS

In addition to the above listed points, the report should propose implementation strategies for the plan as well as the relevant financial concerns.

PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

COST OF THE STUDY

 

TOR ON THE EVALUATION OF FOREST CONSESSIONS

OBJECTIVE

To ensure that the forest extraction industries have integrated the wildlife management dimension into the management of their concessions.

WORK PLAN

After having reviewed the available information on the forest concessions, the consultant should:

• Elaborate a draft code of conduct and validate it with the Direction of the Wildlife and Protected Areas.
• Ensure its adoption by the forest extractive industries. ·
• Verify the efforts of each exploiter in his concession area (referring to the code)

RESULTS

The report will have to furnish a list of objectively verifiable indicators suitable for follow-up of the forest concession management. A classification of forest companies according to their conservation efforts would be advisable, for a wide use in public relations.

PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

COST OF THE STUDY