Gabon, a lush African nation teeming with biodiversity, has recently achieved a significant victory in the ongoing battle against illegal ivory trafficking. This success comes as a result of a well-coordinated operation involving Gabonese authorities, Conservation Justice, and a determined effort to dismantle a notorious international ivory smuggling network.

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An investigation in Gabon uncovered 19 tusks and four pieces of ivory weighing 120 kilograms.

Unraveling the Network

In early August, the Gabonese judicial police, in collaboration with government directorates of forestry and wildlife, and with the support of the non-governmental organization Conservation Justice, made a breakthrough in their fight against ivory traffickers, Radio France Internationale reports. The operation began with the arrest of a Gabonese man of Cameroonian origin and his wife in the province of Moyen-Ogooué. During a vehicle search, authorities discovered a disturbing cache of 19 tusks and four pieces of ivory, implying the killing of at least nine elephants.

Aside from the ivory, the search yielded more concerning evidence, including rifle cartridges used for hunting big game, nearly 1 million CFA francs in cash (equivalent to around 1,500 euros), illicit substances, and an expired residence permit linked to a well-known Cameroonian ivory trafficker, reports 24 Presse. This initial breakthrough marked the beginning of a broader effort to dismantle the criminal network responsible for this illicit trade.

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Gabon has achieved a significant victory in the fight against ivory trafficking.

Ivory's Dark Journey

Gabon's victory over ivory trafficking unveiled a complex pyramid scheme of poaching, Express reports. At its pinnacle is a leader residing in Cameroon, orchestrating this nefarious trade across international borders. Collaborators within this pyramid consist of poachers' canvassers and transporters, each playing a distinct role in the process.

The canvassers scour Gabon for villagers willing to engage in the grim task of elephant poaching. Their role is to identify potential sources of ivory. Once ivory becomes available, transporters work alongside canvassers to collect the harvested tusks. These tusks are then transported across borders, making their way from Gabon to Cameroon, and eventually finding their way to Asian markets, where they fetch exorbitant prices.

This operation's intricate nature made it imperative to dismantle it systematically, requiring the combined efforts of law enforcement and conservation organizations.

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Ivory from Gabon is smuggled to Cameroon, Nigeria, and lucrative Asian markets.

Consequences and the Fight Against Ivory Trafficking

Ivory trafficking carries severe legal penalties in Gabon. Traffickers involved in international smuggling can face up to 20 years in prison. Despite the risks, the lure of the lucrative Asian market continues to entice those engaged in this illicit trade. Since the partnership between Conservation Justice and the Ministry of Water and Forests began, over 500 ivory traffickers have been arrested, ATIBT reports. An astounding 80 percent of them have been convicted, with sentences of up to five years in prison.

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Gabon imposes strict penalties for ivory trafficking, with up to 20 years in prison for international smuggling.

A Race Against Extinction

Gabon's fight against ivory trafficking is all the more urgent because it is home to the world's largest remaining population of African forest elephants, Mongabay reports. These forest elephants are distinct from their savannah-dwelling counterparts and are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.

Over approximately three decades, forest elephant populations have plummeted by over 86 percent. A 2021 survey conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Gabon’s National Park Agency revealed that Gabon is home to around 95,000 forest elephants, representing between 60 and 70 percent of the entire global population, reports the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The Economics of Ivory

The illegal ivory trade is driven by economics. Prices have experienced fluctuations since China's ban on the ivory trade in 2017, with a significant drop from $208 per kilogram to approximately $92 per kilogram by 2020, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The 120 kilograms seized in the recent operation could still fetch over $11,000 value on the black market, RFI reports.

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Gabon is home to the world's largest population of critically endangered African forest elephants.

A Call for Ongoing Vigilance

Gabon's recent success in dismantling an international ivory trafficking network is a remarkable achievement in the battle against wildlife crime. However, it is crucial to recognize that this victory is just one step in a continuous fight to protect the planet's elephants, particularly the critically endangered forest elephants.

Preventing poaching and illegal ivory trafficking requires not only law enforcement efforts but also a comprehensive approach that addresses the economic incentives and the demand for ivory. While Gabon's commitment to environmental protection remains strong, the global community must stand together to ensure that the majestic elephants of Gabon and beyond continue to roam free, untouched by the horrors of poaching.

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