More over, a recent boom of the “coupeurs de route” (gangsters) have used their weapons for wildlife poaching in those protected areas. Aerial surveys carried out in February 2005 reveal that a significant portion of the Park is now being used by migrant tribesmen as grazing land for cattle, while field studies point to a sharp increase in poaching and bush meat trade, and fuel wood exploitation.

Immediate action must be taken to improve law enforcement and awareness within the park and its immediate environs. General awareness of species conservation remains extremely limited and where it does exist, understanding of the issues often bears little resemblance to the reality of conservation of animals in their wild state. Likewise, consumption of wild animals continues with a corresponding negative impact on wild animal populations and on efforts to ensure their effective conservation. Without an integrated approach, addressing both enforcement and education and awareness it is apparent that trends on bush meat trade of many species will continue on an upward curve. This project will strengthen Waza NP personnel’s ability to enforce wildlife protection law, and monitor and manage wildlife populations, carry out sensitization campaigns using local and national media, and gather baseline surveillance data for long-term monitoring of wildlife populations.

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