Angolan rangers combating wildlife poachers

In Southern Angola, rangers battle poaching that threatens the frail recovery of Angola’s wildlife which was annihilated during the country’s civil war.

The 30 rangers are trained by former civil war soldier Elias Kawina at a new training centre in the remote province of Cuando Cubango.

This approach is a boost to ending poaching and ivory trafficking in the country.

“During the civil war the animals were used as food. But after the end of the war the government thought that it was time to give peace to the wildlife,” said Kawina.

Ex-civil war fighter now wildlife ranger in Angola (which wants to be the new Botswana) AFP https://t.co/ggSJnbPzkH pic.twitter.com/Bh3mlL7umQ

— Ben Sheppard (MrBenShep) June 10, 2016

Recently, Angola vowed to combat the illegal trade in wildlife. The nation is a transit country for ivory from Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The government has pledged to revive wildlife numbers as it seeks to diversify its economy.

“Angola is definitely experiencing some challenges particularly with the decline of international oil prices. This has a massive knock on effect on the economy of the country. Of course issues like conservation and wildlife slide off agenda faster than others,’‘ said Paul Funston a biologist at Panthera wildlife charity.

“They had cuts (which) makes it even more challenging to grow the conservation base and success which is what they (the government) would like to do,” he added.

AFP