The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has accused the Gbarpolu County Senator, Botoe Kanneh, of undermining the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Law of Liberia.
According to the Manager of the Confiscation and Anti-Smuggling Unit of the FDA’s Forest Ranger, Ali Kais, Senator Kanneh has continued to interfere with the implementation of the law protecting wildlife in the country.
Manager Kais alleged that Senator Kanneh and her bodyguards attacked members of the Forest Ranger at the Sawmill Check Point Monday when a suspect was arrested for carrying 17 bodies of dried monkey bush meat, along with a little living monkey.
He noted that Senator Kanneh’s action poses serious threat against the forest rangers’ operation of protecting wildlife species across the nation.
He pinpointed that recently members of Forest Ranger were first attack at VOA’s intersection, Brewerville, by Senator Kanneh and her bodyguards after eight bags of bush meat were confiscated at Janet Check Point but forcefully taken away from them.
Manager Kais disclosed that Liberia is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is intended to protect wildlife in Liberia.
He maintained that “An Act Adopting the National Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management Law of Liberia” was approved October 5, 2016, which must be enforced by the Forest Rangers and other security apparatus of Liberia.
“We cannot sit here as a government and allow a single hunter or group of individuals to destroy our biodiversity. It is important to note that these wildlife species attract tourism, and the country can benefit as a whole,” he added.
According to him, the suspect arrested was also found with six single barrel shots and immediately turned over to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for prosecution at the Gbarma Magisterial Court, Gbarma District, Gbarpolu County.
The suspect, identified as Peter Wonmein, was charged for violating the Wildlife Protection Law of Liberia and forwarded to the Gbarma Magisterial Court Tuesday, September 14, 2021 for prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Associate Magistrate of the Gbarma Magisterial Court, Magistrate Boima H. Cooper, who presided over the case between the FDA and suspect Wonmein, charged him with three counts: illegal possession of bush meat, protected animal and hunting of wildlife.
Magistrate Cooper fined Wonmein US$250.00, to be paid in the government’s revenue and the 17 bodies of dry monkey meat confiscated pending their burning at a later date.
For his part, the Wildlife Protection Officer or the Humane Society International (HSI) assigned in the Western Region of Liberia, Jallah Fahnbulleh, said the prevention and protection of wildlife species are critical to preserving the biodiversity of Liberia.
Fahnbulleh stated that the prosecution and confiscation of killed protected animals will go a long way in curtailing hunting wildlife species in the country.
He indicated that HSI has been working with FDA to educate law enforcers about the significance of protecting the rights of animals across the nation.
He explained that the killing and selling of wildlife should not be the only alternative for livelihood, noting that if government and partners are not robust in battling wildlife crime now the endangered species will become extinct in the near future in Liberia.