Zakouma National Park, Chad
Between March 2005 and August 2006, over 26 tons of elephant ivory was seized worldwide, the highest ever in such a period since the 1989 CITES ban went into effect (which was later resanctioned). Elephants within nations of political unrest, such as those of Central Africa, bear the brunt of much of this slaughter. As such countries struggle to protect their human populations, resources for animal protection are slim and NGOs must step in to fill the gaps.
IFAW Grantee, Zakouma National Park, Chad
The Zakouma region of Chad has the largest concentration of elephants in
the nation and protection is vital for the survival of such populations.
Anti-poaching ranger units are the first and primary defense for these animals,
and capacity must continuously be built to protect elephants from the booming
trade in their ivory.
Q: What are the IFAW plans for Zakouma National Park?
A: IFAW has allocated funds for elephant protection in Zakouma National Park through the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas in Chad. The support includes park ranger law enforcement training, the purchase of equipment, horses, and materials, as well as animal feed and healthcare.
Q: How long should the project last?
A: IFAW's support will run for one year. The possibility of renewing support will be reviewed later in the year.
Q: What kind of field equipment will the rangers receive? How much?
A: IFAW's support is aimed at purchasing 3 motorcycles, 5 horses, and forest material (binoculars, tents, camp-beds, mosquito nets, torches, etc.).
Q: Which organizations cooperate with IFAW?
A: Over and above IFAW's support, Zakouma NP is also funded by the Government of Chad and the European Union Commission with the Conservation and Rational Utilisation of the Sahel Ecosystems in Sudan (CURESS).
Q: Do you have numbers of the elephant population in Zakouma National Park?
A: This information is not currently
available. National populations stand at over 6,000 of which more 4,000 are
found in the South-East of Chad. South-East Chad has three protected areas -
Zakouma NP (305,000 ha), Bahr Salamat Wildlife Reserve (2 million ha) and
Siniaka Minia Wildlife Reserve (420,000 ha).
Learn More About Our Campaigns
;)
Close-up of elephant poached for its
ivory.
Photo © IFAW
;)
Countless African elephants are slaughtered for their ivory to produce mass
quantities of "hankos", Japanese signature seals that are representative of a
certain status within society.
Photo © IFAW
