By Leocadia Bongben
Two suspected traffickers, including a police officer, who were arrested for the unlawful possession of leopard skins on December 17 in Yaounde, are the most recent instance of the rising environmental crime in Cameroon and Central Africa.
They were arrested following a crackdown operation by wildlife officials of the Center Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife in collaboration with the Center Regional Division of Judicial Police. They were attempting to sell the leopard skins when wildlife officials apprehended them.
The skins were smuggled from Gabon, and the suspects were found at the Nsimeyong neighbourhood with two leopard skins, which they concealed in a bag. They are part of a trafficking ring between Gabon and Cameroon, and one of the suspects is a police officer who uses his position to provide impunity for the network.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity say the skins were still very fresh
on arrival in Cameroon. One of the suspects, a driver, transported and kept the skins at his Tsinga residence for 10 days to sun them before trading them.
The Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA), a wildlife enforcement body, technically supported the operations.
Leopards are listed on Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), for which Cameroon is a signatory, and are fully protected, thus prohibiting any form of trade in the species.
According to the 2024 wildlife law, the suspects may face an imprisonment term of up to 20 years and/or pay a fine of up to 50 million FCFA if found guilty.