By Leocadia Bongben
On October 22, a pair of individuals would appear before the Tibati High Court to respond to allegations of unlawfully possessing enormous pangolin scales.
On July 3, the Djerem Divisional Delegation of Forestry and wildlife officials, working with the Tibati Gendarmerie Company and with technical support from the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA), arrested them while they were trying to sell the scales in Tibati.
About 90 kg of giant pangolin scales were seized after the suspects were discovered carrying two bags of them near a bus station. The suspects are part of a large wildlife network that attracts several poachers who primarily gather pangolin scales in villages around Tibati, including hunters, bikers, and public transportation drivers. They also sell their loot to towns like Yoko, Ntui, Yaounde, Douala, and Ngaoundere.
The two suspects lastly appeared in the High Court of Tibati on October 8th, where the case
was adjourned to October 22nd to debate their bail request. They are at the Tibati prison for the
continuation of the procedures.
The biggest threat to the pangolin’s continued existence is the illicit trade and poaching of the species. The government is making no concessions. Anyone caught trafficking pangolin scales faces penalties under the 2024 wildlife law. The 2024 wildlife law states that anyone found in possession of pangolin scales is guilty of killing the animal and could be fined between $20 and $50 million or imprisoned for 15 to 20 years. Giant pangolins are a protected species in Cameroon.