A herd of elephants peacefully traverses the acacia-dotted savanna of Chad’s Zah Soo National Park, a testament to the park’s success in curbing poaching.
Established to safeguard the biodiversity of this Sahelian nation, the park faces a balancing act – protecting wildlife while addressing concerns from local farmers impacted by its creation.
Forest and Wildlife Guard (GFF) member Belfort Assia Blanga, clad in his uniform and carrying a Kalashnikov, observes the elephants with a sense of accomplishment.
The herd boasts a healthy mix of adults and juveniles, a stark contrast to the devastating poaching that claimed 113 elephants between 2013 and 2019.
“Their breeding indicates a newfound sense of security,” Blanga proudly remarks.
The park, bordering Cameroon, now harbors 125 elephants, ranking as Chad’s third-largest population.
Since the GFF rangers’ deployment, poaching has been successfully eradicated, despite their limited resources and outdated equipment.
However, illegal hunting continues to pose a threat to other species, with Deputy Director Lambert Worgue Yemye of the protected area reporting that antelope are the primary targets of villagers and farmers.
The future of Zah Soo National Park hinges on its ability to maintain this positive momentum.
Balancing wildlife conservation with the needs of local communities will be crucial for the park’s long-term success.
