Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
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The threat posed to endangered species in Liberia |
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Liberia contains a portion of West Africa's Global Biodiversity hotspot. Liberia contains portion of the Guinean forest, the Gola forest preserve and the Sapo national park, which bears host to over 193 different species, of which about 15 have been rated endangered or vulnerable. According to the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia, the existence of several rare animal species is being threatened by poachers, who kill these animals to be sold on the Liberian market as bush meat. Bush meat is consumed on a vast scale on the Liberian market. Villagers kill these animals for food as they serve as a source of protein for them, and also for trade. Hunters go into the forest and hunt any animal they see, including fully protected animals like the Pygmy Hippopotamus, Jentik Duikers, crocodiles, elephants, leopards, chimpanzees, monkeys, pangolins, etc, although it is illegal to do so. Bush meat trade, along with increasing commercial logging is causing widespread local extinction of wild animals. The Forestry Development Authority currently have laws against the hunting of protected species, but these laws are weak and vague, making it difficult to prosecute would be violators. Forest rangers find it difficult to patrol large areas of the forest because they are not allowed to carry guns. As the result, hunting continues to push endangered species closer to extinction.
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5 Comments
Hi Elizaveta. In Liberia, people eat almost any animal as bush meat. That includes monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees etc. About 14 years ago, during the Liberian civic war, there was a scarcity of food. As the result, people started eating whatever they came across. Since then some Liberians, especially the villagers eat almost every animal in the forest. There are also some people who eat domestic animals like dogs, cats, etc.
Posted 02-11-2017 17:39
Hi! Thank you for the interesting information. What do hunters do with monkeys? Do people eat chimpanzees?
Posted 02-11-2017 13:58
I agree with you Sumit, and Stephanie. Implementation of laws in Liberia is a serious problem. The number of forest rangers employed by the government are few and they are not properly equipped to enforce the law. The environmental and forestry sector in Liberia needs serious attention. A lot of foreign support have been provided to aid the government, but on several occasions, financial aid directed towards solving these issues, are not used for it's intended purpose. Therefore, we as environmental activists face a huge task.
Posted 02-11-2017 03:18
Feels so sad to see the picture that you have posted. The authority as well as general people should come forward to protect these endangered animals.
Posted 01-11-2017 21:46
Hi, Lemuel! I'm very concerned about the lenient attitude of the Liberian government toward poachers. As you've said in your report, it seems that the current laws are too weak and vague. I think that the anti-poaching laws should be reinforced, and that the authority of forest rangers should be strengthened as well, in order to apprehend poachers for good. Thank you for your report!
Posted 01-11-2017 21:26