Gabon, loggers in deal to stop bushmeat poachers
Date: 07-Aug-01
Country: GABON
The agreement between the Ministry of Water and Forests, Bordamur Gabon and the international conservation group World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) was signed on the weekend.
"The aim of the ministry is not to ban the consumption of bushmeat, but it is vital to manage these species to allow them to reproduce," said Adrien Noungou, the ministry's head of wildlife and hunting.
Logging roads have opened up previously inaccessible tracts of forest, making life easy for poachers who quickly move in to gun down whatever moves and is edible, from rodents to elephants.
In many African countries, game is seen not just as a delicacy but as an important part of cultural heritage.
