Stories
Crackdown on a Vietnamese Ivory Criminal Syndicate
Ivory Coast, 25 Jan 2018On 18th January 2018, the EAGLE Network and the government of Ivory Coast began the coordination of Operation “Ivory Stops at Ivory Coast”, a crackdown on an international ivory trafficking network. The leader, a Vietnamese national, was arrested in Abidjan with five other members of his network, a criminal syndicate that has been operating for years in at least seven different countries and is estimated to have generated the slaughter of tens of thousands of elephants for their tusks. Last week’s arrests led to the confiscation of 478 kg ivory, over half a ton of pangolin scales, some packed and ready for export, four illegal handguns, leopard parts, 7 cutting and carving machines and more contraband. The head of the criminal organization in Cote d’Ivoire is directly linked to two prior seizures, one in Vietnam and another in Cambodia, where 619 kg and 941 kg of Ivory seized by authorities, respectively.
Saving the African Manatee
Cameroon, 26 May 2016The African manatee is silently racing towards extinction as threats to its survival keep growing by the day. Unfortunately, current conservation efforts are still struggling to keep up with the pace of these threats, but the tide may be turning, as two dedicated marine biologists, with the support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, are standing up for the elusive species that is also called “Mami Wata” in Cameroon.
Sniffer dogs in action to save elephants
Congo, 29 May 2015The bus has stopped at the edge of the road. Rick is running between the suitcases and sniffing around one, another, third one… he is wagging his tail, sometimes looks back at his handler, who is encouraging him to continue. He is enjoying this hide and search game, especially when he can smell something interesting in one of the suitcases. His anxiety escalates, yes, this is the right suitcase! He lays down to show, that he is sure. “Great dog, good dog!” says the handler and waves at the officers that a suspicious suitcase has been identified. Happy Rick gets his toy and is already looking forward to a new game.
Baby Chimp Rescued from Arrested Guinea Traffickers
Guinea, 17 Apr 2015Read the story of a baby chimp, who was saved from two poachers and traffickers, who killed her mother.
Army Lieutenant and 4 others arrested with elephant meat
Congo, 18 Nov 2014First time an army officer is arrested and transferred to Brazzaville court for trafficking elephant meat – faces up to 5 years in prison.
