RAVE: Gabon Grab On Ivory

Gabon may not be the poorest of African nations, but nor is it the biggest or the most well-known. What is not in doubt is that it is a brave nation that seems highly committed to conserving its environment and protecting its natural heritage.



This small central West African nation may be oil rich, but at least its making an effort to fight the scourge that is the ivory trade.

In an encouraging report on Wednesday by the BBC online: "Gabonese President Ali Bongo has set on fire nearly five tonnes of illegal ivory worth $9.3m (£6m) as part of attempts to deter poaching. Mr Bongo said the burning was meant to send a "strong signal" to those who still traded in ivory. Conservation group WWF has welcomed the move, saying it was an "indication of the country's commitment" to curbing elephant poaching and the ivory trade."

The President went on to say:

"We don't want our children to inherit an empty forest.”

Simple, wise words.

The BBC report continued:

"The pyre that was kindled in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, represented the central African nation's entire government stockpile of confiscated ivory, which resulted from the killing of some 850 elephants [italics for effect]."

This is a nation which also has a group of trained and respected eco enforcement officers, seen in the pic below patrolling the waterways of the country's lush forests, water avenues often used by smugglers of ivory and bushmeat:

President Ali Bongo said his country had a policy of "zero tolerance for wildlife crime."

If only more countries would follow this type of lead, especially in Africa.

My hat off to you, Gabon. I am grateful for your valiant efforts. As I am sure the elephants are too.