Militarizing Anti-poaching (6-minute Video)

When Mayo Oldiri first started hunting in the savannah regions of Northern Cameroon, poaching was not a serious problem. Supervised by the professional hunter, unarmed game scouts were employed and were sent out in groups of six to eight carrying only machetes and axes.

As the poaching increased, it became clear that more game scouts were needed. The poachers started using firearms to poach, and as anti-poaching units were not allowed to be armed, military personnel had to be employed for protection.

There is not much going on in Northern Cameroon, and finding employment is extremely difficult. The main cash crop is cotton, and people raise some livestock. The temptation to poach is strong.

The second most significant issue in the area is domestic livestock encroachment. Nomads with huge herds of cattle, sheep and goats move freely between the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon.