This is bushmeat that we got from poachers who were operating down the Semiliki River. That is the river that runs from Lake Edward to Lake Albert, and is what you could see behind me on my video message last week.
The poachers got away but we know that they used snares to catch these animals. On the right is warthog and on the left is antelope (Cobb). The white and pink plastic bottle is used as a floater in their illegal fishing nets.
These are my Rangers. We also think they are using a chemical product, that is in the white bottle. We are making investigations to know what the product is.
6 Comments posted on "Bushmeat"
sheryl, washington dc on September 17th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Ugh. It’s bad enough that poachers are in the park crippling and killing animals, but to use a potentially harmful chemical as well is just ignorant. Glad y’all are able to find some of them. s.
David R. on September 17th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Yes, it is irresponsible… I am wondering why they use these chemical products : to lure the animals ? To poison them ?… Take care !
paula kahumbu on September 18th, 2007 at 5:55 am
We are seeing the use of the chemical Furadan - it is a chemical used in agriculture to kill worms in the soil - therefore it is easily available. This chemical is used in Kenya to kill predators like lions, wild dogs and hyenas - by lacing animal carcasses. In Tanzania it has been seen used to poison fish in water - they float up and then can be collected. It is a carbamate poison and has high toxicity for mammals and birds. We are losing our vultures, ibises and otehr wetland birds as a result of the widespread use of this chemical as a way of catching and killing animals. People who eat contaminated products will show symptoms of carbamate poisoning - weakness, dizziness, and sweating. Headache, salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea are also common. Later symptoms include constricted pupils, lack of coordination, and slurred speech. As with organophosphates, tightness in the chest and coughing may precede lung failure or fluid entering the lungs. If this happens the person should be rushed to hospital The antidote for humans is atropine. Most wildlife however will just die. Please keep us informed if you see any evidence of widespread poisoning.
F. J. PECHIR on September 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Thank you Atamato for the up-date. Is very sad to see that the poaching is still killing animals in the area. All efforts must be done in order to stop the slaughter. I really hope that you and your rangers can do everything possible to protect the amazing wildlife of the park and catch the poachers. Thank you Paula for the information, is interesting to know that chemical and its effects.
David R. on September 18th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
By using this chemical product, poachers not only kill animals but also commit a crime against the ecosystem… Poisoning a river to collect fish easily, I cannot find words !… Thank you Paula for the information. Take care !
Jim G. on October 17th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I hope Paula will get her own blog here. Post a comment
|
|
