Two ivory traffickers arrested in Libreville, one suspected of killing six elephants
Two Gabonese individuals were arrested in Libreville in late July during a joint operation by the Water and Forest Administration and the Judicial Police, supported by the NGO Conservation Justice. They were found in possession of four ivory tusks and an elephant tail. One of the suspects is believed to have killed at least six elephants and attempted to deceive Water and Forest agents by citing human-elephant conflict. The operation led to the seizure of the ivory and elephant tail from the two suspects in a Libreville neighborhood. Conservation Justice stated that they were caught in the act of illegal possession and attempted illegal commercialization of products from a fully protected species in Gabon. The two alleged traffickers are now in custody and will be presented to a magistrate. Conservation Justice highlights that some poachers exploit the human-elephant conflict to justify or conceal poaching. According to Luc Mathot, director of Conservation Justice, this appears to be the case here, with one suspect accused of killing six elephants and attempting to mislead authorities. The NGO notes that the movement of wildlife trophies between provinces allows some poached products to evade control measures. Under Gabonese law, the possession, transport, and commercialization of ivory can result in up to ten years imprisonment and a fine up to five times the value of the seized products, as per articles 390 and 398 of the Penal Code. The case is now with the judiciary to de
