 Reference Base  Entrepots for rhino horn in Khartoum and Cairo threaten G... |
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| Location: |
Africa - Western Africa - Central African Republic |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Poaching |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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A veterinarian, Richard Kock, who was working in this part of CAR in March and April 1999, reports that large numbers of well-armed hunting gangs of about six men each with camels, horses and don- keys are still entering CAR Most of them are Baggaras from northern Sudan who are traditionally aggressive raiders, but there are also some gangs from southern Sudan. They come into the south-east part of CAR because much wildlife is still abundant there while most of the large animals on the Sudan side have been eliminated. Once inside CAR, the gangs seek out elephants for their tusks and meat, but also poach kob, buffalo, bongo, roan, eland and hippo with their automatic rifles. The meat is dried or smoked and is sold mostly in eastern Sudan, while ivory and probably sometimes rhino horns are brought to Omdurman and Khartoum for sale. Richard Kock saw a different poaching gang every day (while he was surveying animals from the air). He also saw over 20 recently poached elephants, all with their tusks removed, in six different areas. He estimates that 30 to 40 elephants are killed each week. There are very few resident people in this large area and almost no government presence due to the insecurity brought about by the heavily armed and aggressive Sudanese poaching gangs (R. Kock, pers. comm.1999).
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