Hired Hunters for Jammeh's Kanilai Zoo



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The Independent (Banjul)

February 17, 2003
Posted to the web February 17, 2003

Jalamang Jammeh
Banjul

In apparent contravention of The Gambia's Wildlife Act President Yahya
Jammeh has recently hired and deployed hunters in Sutukung, Jarra east to
hunt and kill bush pigs for his Kanilai Santaba zoo, in an attempt to stave
off the problem caused by fish scarcity in Foni, which cannot provide
adequately for his wild pets.

President Jammeh's deployment of hunters in Jarra to provide for his zoo of
lions and crocodiles has not gone down well with residents of Jarra east who
have complained that the activities of hunters apparently at his behest were
causing security problems and the loss of endangered wild animals in their
area.

Hunters are paid according to the number of animals they bring for the zoo,
according to sources.

According to sources a vehicle registered as BJL4064A was being used to
ferry the carcasses to the president's Kanilai zoo where hungry lions and
crocodiles devour them.

Jammeh's hunters on numerous occasions allegedly invaded the Sutukung-Banni
forest and surrounding areas to hunt for animals, which is in breach of the
Wildlife Act, prohibiting the killing of animals in the wild some of which
have been declared as endangered species. Last year, animals of various
species were flown in from South Africa to augment the Kanilai zoo, which
provides a quiet retreat for President Jammeh outside Banjul.

Meanwhile employees of the Department of Parks and Wildlife have complained
that the Abuko Nature Reserve is losing some of its game to Jammeh's Kanilai
zoo, which has seen the president's home village hosting a variety of
animals.

According to them a lioness was recently transported from the Abuko Nature
Reserve to Kanilai where it was paired with a male lion. They argued that it
is against the Wildlife Act to kill animals without permission from the
department, which the president or h is hunter did not seek. They also said
although they are aware of such actions and acutely concerned about the
implications for the Abuko Nature Reserve and other forests losing animals
to the Kanilai zoo, they fear putting their jobs on the line if they
complained.



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