WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AND POACHING PATTERNS IN CHAD

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000877

SIPDIS


STATE FOR AF/C, AF/EPS AND OES/ENV LEE
PLEASE ALSO PASS TO FWS AT DEPT. INTERIOR
ADDIS FOR REO
ABIDJAN ALSO FOR WARP REO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID CD
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AND POACHING PATTERNS IN CHAD



1. Begin Summary. Recent evidence of wildlife traf-ficking in Chad
two distinct fronts: Gulf State Arab hunters/falconers engaging in sp
in northern Chad and Sudanese poachers complicit with poor Chadian hu
south-central regions. The combined toll of these activities on Chad
remaining mammal populations is very worrying, as is the collusion of
government officials with poachers. End Summary.


2. REO reviewed dozens of press items together with substantial docu
from APROCOFF, a local university-based NGO active in anti-poaching e
The reports are clear: wildlife trafficking networks show considerabl
sophistication in transporting Chadian wildlife to markets in North A
the Mideast and pose a major long-term threat to Chad's biodiversity.

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Saudi Princes, All Terrain Vehicles and Visas for Falconers
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3. There is a well-established network of Arab hunters who practice
forms of hunting in Chad. Hunters from as far away as Saudi Arabia a
United Arab Emirates arrive in unscheduled charter planes, obtain irr
airport visas on arrival, and move about in all-terrain vehicles in t
northern regions. Hunters often use vehicles to chase antelope to ex
before bagging them. Alternatively, Saudi visitors use imported falc
target bustards (endangered, large birds of the genus Ardeotis) in or
export their dried, uncured skins, which are reputed to have aphrodis
properties.


4. There is widespread local collusion with Arab hunters. Deep pock
buy local villagers' and businessmen's willingness to provide support
vehicles. A dubious Arab "charity NGO" was even found involved in fa
hunting operations and transport in late 2004. In another case, a Sa
allegedly handed over ten million CFA (USD 20,000) for access to an "
hunting zone and vehicle support. The ease with which wealthy foreig
visas at the airport shows the collusion of Chadian customs and secur
officials. APROCOFF and local press sources also report on recent ca
hunters trying to transport live gazelles to Libya, further implicati
authorities in trafficking activities. Names of inluential Chadian o
involved in facilitating this recurrent poaching have appeared in APR
releases but no sanctions have yet occurred and the practice continue

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Sudanese Poachers, Automatic Weapons and Local Intermediaries
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5. South-central Chad, in particular the Zakouma National Park and i
zone, is a key refuge for elephants in Chad. It is this area that is
by well-armed Sudanese hunters, who pay local Chadian villagers to hu
elephants in sophisticated poaching networks. Chadian nomads serve a
intermediaries, transporting tusks to the Sudanese border by horsebac
camelback. The town of Geneina in west-central Sudan is thought to b
the principal importation points where poached ivory is taken, before
buyers in N. Africa and the Gulf region.


6. Park wardens exercise some control within Zakouma itself, but not
vast buffer zone beyond it. Even within the park, however, conflicts
poachers have resulted in the deaths of several Chadian park wardens.
temptation of poaching dividends for local populations should not be
underestimated given the few cash-generating alternatives that exist.
Tourism is not well-developed or as lucrative as it could potentially
principally because of security concerns and poor road/air access to


7. Comment: REO suggests two areas of opportunity for the USG to ha
impact on reducing poaching activities in Chad. Diplomatic pressure
brought to bear on the Presidency, Ministry of Environment, airport a
authorities, when specific cases come to light. This would serve bot
the GOC that donors are concerned with the situation, and to remind t
Chad's obligations under international conventions that protect endan
migratory species. As a complement to this, prior USG material suppo
(including anti-poaching communications equipment and surveillance tr
should be renewed. REO and AmEmbassy/Chad intend to pursue areas whe
strategic USG support could give conservationists the upper hand in p
remaining wildlife populations.

WALL


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