Hundreds of forest elephants were massacred in Cameroon

The International Animal Relief Fund (IFAW) said a group of hunters from Sudan killed hundreds of elephants for ivory at Bouba Ndjida National Park in northern Cameroon, near the border with Chad.

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IFAW stated on their website: 'At least 100 elephants were found in the park last month and the hunting still took place making it impossible for us to conduct a thorough investigation. . We expect more elephants to be found in unexplored areas at Bouba Ndjida ".

The organization added that many of the elephants have become orphaned after the hunting and that they may die soon after starvation.

IFAW said: 'Poaching in Cameroon is seriously threatening the number of elephants here.'

IFAW's representative, Ms. Celine Sissler-Bienvenu, pointed out that it is very common for hunters to fully equip their Sudanese cross-border weapons here during the dry season to hunt elephants.

She said: 'This massacre is too horrifying and there have been no comparisons before.

Sissler-Bienvenu added: 'The ivory will then be exported to the West and Central Africa to sell to Asian and European markets, and the proceeds will be used to arm weapons for the wars. regional competition, which often takes place in Sudan and Central African Republic ".

IFAW also revealed that the UK, France, the European Union and the United States have issued alarm bells and asked the Cameroonian authorities to take urgent actions to prevent this situation.

The IFAW representative said that the only answer could be to end the demand for ivory, especially in Asia and ensure conservation organizations in threatened areas are fully equipped with equipment. , skills needed to combat professional poachers.

Ms. Bienvenu stated: 'Since 2009, IFAW has organized training and support for rangers and conservation organizations against poaching in Central African countries, which often face ivory trade. Cruel and illegal elephants. What countries in this continent need at the present time is the commitment of the international community to provide financial support so that they have sufficient human and tools to serve the protection of elephants. '