Elephants, gnu, giraffes and zebras among the species most targeted by poachers in Angola’s Quiçama National Park
As first heard on Radio Ecclesia in Angola, here. Produced by Pedro Tchindele.
March 18 2023
Park management says they struggle with resources to patrol and manage the spike in illegal hunting
Quiçama National Park spans 9960 square kilometres.
Image by Eden Constantino.
Out of every ten elephants, three are slaughtered per month, as well as other species such as gnu (wildebeest) and giraffes as a result of the wave of poaching, which has been reaching frightening levels, and putting the existence of these species at risk, in Quiçama National Park.
On an expedition to one of the most important reserves in the country, which is 72 kilometres from the centre of the city of Luanda, we find the signs of poaching, which are visible from the carcasses of slaughtered animals left by hunters along the surface of the park.
The person in charge of the reserve's inspection area, Joaquim Jaime, presented the numbers of animals slaughtered in recent months, highlighting the killing of rare species. At this time, park rangers have been clashing with the community, which sees animals as a source of livelihood. For now, awareness has been raised by rangers, in order to maintain the right balance, to safeguard the species.For better management and control of the species, Jaime calls for more investment, especially in rebuilding the fence.
Listen to Pedro’s full broadcast, in Portuguese, here.
This article is reproduced here as part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe by USAID’s VukaNow: Activity. Implemented by the international conservation organisation Space for Giants, it aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Written articles from the Mozambican and Angolan cohorts are translated from Portuguese. Broadcast stories remain in the original language.
