Found with seven ivory tips, this arrest highlights the growing crisis of wildlife trafficking that threatens Gabon’s biodiversity.
The Gabonese Penal Code prescribes severe penalties for such offenses, underscoring the government’s commitment to combatting poaching.
On October 30, 2024, a coordinated effort led to the arrest of two suspects caught in the act of ivory trafficking in Lambaréné.
The operation, conducted by the Directorate for Anti-Poaching of Water and Forests, the Provincial Directorate of Water and Forests of Moyen-Ogooué, and the Judicial Police of Lambaréné, with support from the NGO Conservation Justice, intercepted R.M., who was attempting to sell seven complete ivory tips.
Following his arrest, R.M. implicated W.W.M. as his accomplice, leading to W.W.M.’s detainment as well. Both suspects are currently held in the custody of the Lambaréné Judicial Police, pending transfer to the special prosecutor’s office in Libreville.
Under Gabonese Penal Code articles 390 and 398, possession and illegal trade in ivory carry severe penalties, including up to ten years in prison and a fine equal to five times the ivory’s market value. This arrest follows a recent operation in Kango where five other suspected traffickers were detained, indicating the country’s intensified efforts to tackle protected species trafficking.
The collection of ivory found in the forest without notifying forestry authorities is illegal. Suspects often claim to have simply “found” these animal trophies as a defense, a tactic aimed at distancing themselves from elephant poaching. This pattern highlights the need for vigilance from both authorities and citizens.
As ivory trafficking cases increase, Gabon steps up its commitment to wildlife conservation with strong support from NGOs like Conservation Justice. The public is encouraged to report any discovery of ivory to authorities to avoid being implicated in poaching, a crime that continues to threaten African elephant populations.
Fanta Mabo
