Gabon alone is home to between 65% and 70% of all African forest elephants today, making it the largest reservoir in the world, the former Minister of Water and Forests said a few years ago.
However, in certain localities of the country, the population is worried about the blunders caused by elephants wandering around the city. According to some sources, these elephants are ravaging farmers’ fields and also destroying their houses.
In Mouila, in southern Gabon, an elephant killed a member of a delegation who was leaving to prepare for the reception of President Oligui Nguema. Jacques Mabenga, an English teacher, died following a collision between a herd of elephants and the vehicle in which he was traveling.
Arriving on site the next day after listening to all the residents’ complaints, the president of the transition authorized the populations to kill elephants. An announcement which was warmly applauded by the population. A contrast with the government of Ali Bongo which had made the protection of elephants an absolute priority.
President Oligui Nguema asked them to assert their self-defense. The decision worries several NGOs and researchers who held a meeting last week in Libreville to reflect on the issue.
Reacting to the president’s announcement, Nicaise Moulombi, environmentalist, says yes, but is worried: “After the political announcement of the president of the transition, it is up to the NGOs, to the international community, to open discussions with the president of the transition to be able to frame this declaration. »
“Without elephants, the wealth of Gabonese forests would not be what it is today. We therefore understand that the decision of the president of the transition must be considered as one solution among many others to significantly reduce the ongoing conflict,” said Alfred Ngomanda, director of the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, who insisted on the contribution of elephants to forest regeneration.
It is reported that at least four elephants have already been killed since Oligui Nguema’s announcement. In these circumstances, the protection of the species seems more complex than ever.
According to the result of a survey based on DNA collected from excrement, Gabon is the last stronghold of forest elephants in the world with 95,000 heads.
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