Gabon: Elephants Tread Between Survival and Conservation Amid Human-Animal Conflict

Gabon: Elephants Tread Between Survival and Conservation Amid Human-Animal Conflict | Firstpost Africa

In the dense rainforests of Gabon, a conflict is unfolding between the country's long-treasured African White Elephants and the humans living in the settlements around the lush forests. The human-elephant conflict continues to pit the needs of people against the survival of a critically endangered species. With an estimated 95,000 African White Elephants — nearly half of the world's population of this subspecies — Gabon is a sanctuary for these majestic creatures. But as their natural food sources dwindle under the shadow of climate change and encroaching human activity, they venture into human settlements. A pivotal moment came in December 2023 when President Brice Oligui Nguema, newly installed after a military coup, endorsed killing Elephants for self-defence. His remarks resonated with villagers but sparked concern among conservationists. Killing elephants, even in self-defense, risks undermining decades of efforts to protect a species already classified as critically endangered.

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