2 ivory traffickers arrested
2 traffickers arrested with 14 pieces of carved ivory and 2 leopard skins. The first trafficker specialises in carving art objects from wood and ivory; a bowl where the ivory pieces were stored was later found in the shop where he sells the objects. He has been in this illegal business for many years. The second trafficker, who attempted to sell the leopard skins, is a 3rd degree traditional chief in a village of the West Region. These chiefs are expected to be the custodians of traditional symbols but he engaged in leopard skin trafficking that is very rife in the region and across to Nigeria where the skins are in high demand because of their traditional value. The region has no populations of leopards left and the animals are killed in the South East part of the country and the skins trafficked to these areas.