Gabon Wildlife Conservation

One of the things that makes Gabon so beautiful is the wide range of wildlife the country boasts. The country has a wide range of animals that include forest elephants, buffaloes, various types of marine life animals, and a variety of monkey and bird species. However, Gabon's wildlife has become in jeopardy due to animal poaching. Gabon is taking action in response to protect its valuable wildlife.

Gabonese Forest Elephants
Photo Credit: National Geographic

Gabonese Mandrill Monkey
Photo Credit: Encounterthewild.com

Programs such as the "Programme de Lutte Anti-braconnage et de Gestion de Faune", a Gabonese anti-poaching program, have been brought into existence to help with the poaching issue. The program is in the public-private sector, and it focuses on providing security against poachers for many of the Gabonese forests. This year the program received a partner from  Total Gabon. Total Gabon is a program that operates throughout Gabon and has a focus in biodiversity. Together, the two operations will combine their resources and provide financial support, as well as research, in an effort to reduce poaching.

Other organizations have joined the anti-poaching initiatives as well. Paramount Group, which is a global defense and aerospace company, based in Africa, donated resources to the anti-poaching efforts. In September of 2016, the company donated a Gazelle Helicopter as well as dogs to anti-poaching officers. In addition, the company also provided training to officers on how to operate the helicopter and utilize the dogs.

Companies and organizations aren't the only ones joining the anti-poaching initiative. Some people are working individually to help in the efforts. A professor known as Lee White, who has lived in Gabon for over 20 years now, has dedicated a lot of his time to wildlife conservation. In recent years. Professor Lee White has continued to work to conserve wildlife by helping to further develop programs such as the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Professor Lee White
Photo Credit: National Geographic

Part of what makes Gabon unique is the various animals that can be found throughout the country. The animals are not only value- added to the country aesthetically, but economically as well. The animals provide opportunities for developing a successful ecotourism sector in Gabon. This could be beneficial to residents who could get jobs working in this sector, through giving wildlife tours, etc. However, before the animals can help benefit the people of Gabon, it is important that Gabon must first protect the animals. The steps that they are taking to do this will help maintain the originality of the country, as well as protect future benefits that the country may gain from their wildlife. As the country is able to protect their wildlife, they will be able to do things such as keeping their national parks open and continue to work on furthering the success of them. Hopefully, in the future by investing in protecting the wildlife, there will be long-run benefits for the residents in the form of income. Besides possible economic gain, Gabon's wildlife is precious and should be protected at all costs.


Please enjoy this video showcasing some of Gabon's wildlife at their Loango National Park.

                                                         Video Credit: Kevazingo Travel & Tours
                                                                                             www.youtube.com

Sources:

National Geographic: "Using Technology to Combat Wildlife Crime". 21 November 2016. http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/21/using-technology-to-combat-wildlife-crime/.

Fletcher, Daisy. "Total Gabon joins the fight against poaching". 19 May 2016. Independent. 
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/campaigns/GiantsClub/total-gabon-joins-the-fight-against-poaching.

Martin, Guy. "Paramount hands over Gazelle helicopter, dogs to Gabon". 29 Sept. 2016. DefenceWeb.
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/.

Schwartz, Michael. "Real-Life 'Tarzan' Lee White is on a Mission to Protect Gabon's Forest Elephants",  24 June 2016.
National Geographic. http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/.