Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) friend of the month is Mr. Arfou Saley Baouna, an Inspector of Water and Forests at the Kandadji National Nature Reserve (RNNK) in Tillaberi, Niger. In addition to his pivotal role at the reserve, Mr. Baouna also represents Niger at the CITES Management Authority, contributing to the country’s efforts in wildlife conservation and the implementation of international trade regulations for endangered species
Tell us a little about your education and background. More specifically, where did your passion for wildlife conservation come from?
My name is Arfou Saley Baouna, and I am 44 years old, married, and a father of two wonderful boys. I am a Forestry Engineer by administrative appointment. I participated in the 14th edition (2022-2023) of the Master’s programme in the Conservation and Management of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna Subject to International Trade (CITES) at the University of Andalusia in Spain. Additionally, I hold a diploma as a Water and Forestry Inspector from the National School of Water and Forestry in Dinderesso, Burkina Faso. Since 2012, I have been part of the Niger administration, reporting to the Water and Forestry Department under the Ministry of the Environment. I currently serve as the curator of the Kandadji Nature Reserve and the Hippopotamus Sanctuary.
My passion for nature conservation in general, and wildlife conservation in particular, dates back to 2011, before I joined the civil service. At that time, I worked as a volunteer for an international NGO focused on Niger’s W Park and its surrounding areas. During the implementation of project activities, we carried out missions within the W National Park, which allowed us to observe wildlife species and their habitats. We also gained insight into the involvement of local communities in the conservation and management of the protected area and its resources.
This experience inspired me to pursue a career in conservation once I joined the Water and Forestry Department. After joining the department, I formally requested to be assigned to the W National Park in Niger, with the aim of contributing to its management. This request was granted, and in 2013, I was assigned as Deputy Head of the Planning Department at W Park, where I served for four years. My passion for conservation continues to drive me, and I am now honored to serve as the curator of another protected wildlife area in Niger.
Can you tell us a little more about your role within the CITES management authority for Niger?
The CITES Convention has been in force in Niger since December 8, 1975, and since 2023, the country has been classified in category II for its efforts in implementing the convention. As part of my role, I assist the CITES Management Authority in Niger by reviewing trade document applications, providing technical, scientific, and legal advice, and following up on notifications from the CITES Secretariat. I also participate in CITES-related meetings, workshops, and sessions, and contribute to the production of annual reports on CITES implementation and wildlife crime prevention.
In addition, I serve as a national trainer on wildlife crime, organize training for control officers, and raise awareness among users about CITES regulations and legal wildlife trade procedures. I am also involved in drafting and revising regulatory texts that align with CITES. Furthermore, I prepare registration files for CITES-listed species and coordinate the attendance of Niger’s delegates at international CITES events, including the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Regarding elephant conservation, Niger has made notable progress. Key achievements include robust legislative measures that provide full protection for elephants and their habitats, such as Law 98-07 on wildlife regulation, Law 2019-047 (CITES law), and the national elephant conservation strategy. Efforts to combat poaching have also yielded positive results, including the recent conviction of offenders involved in elephant poaching. The collective involvement of key stakeholders, such as the police, customs, gendarmerie, and judiciary, in wildlife crime enforcement has been instrumental in these successes.
What has been the impact of CITES regulations on elephant conservation efforts in Niger?
CITES regulations have had a significant impact on elephant conservation efforts in Niger. They have played a crucial role in strengthening the fight against illegal wildlife trade, particularly ivory trafficking, by providing a legal framework for monitoring and controlling wildlife trade activities. These regulations have empowered key stakeholders in the country, including government agencies, law enforcement, and local communities, to act more effectively in addressing wildlife crime. The framework established by CITES has also ensured that wildlife trade remains legal, sustainable, and closely regulated, contributing to the long-term protection of elephant populations and their habitats in Niger.
How do you ensure that local communities participate in conservation efforts and understand the importance of protecting elephants, despite the conflict between humans and elephants?
I had the opportunity to work on human-elephant conflicts on the outskirts of the W Park in Niger for my final thesis for my diploma as a Water and Forest Inspector in 2019. And this allowed me to scientifically understand that one of the origins of the conflicts is anthropogenic pressure on the habitat of pachyderms through the advance of the agricultural frontier. The effects of climate change also contribute to the expansion of these conflicts through the early drying up of water points inside the park, habitat degradation, high temperatures, etc., and this pushes the animals to frequent the river area where certain communities from the outskirts live and have set up their farms and apiaries.
In your opinion, what is the future of elephants in Niger if current trends continue?
The main challenge to elephant conservation in Niger and in our sub-region is the insecurity, which has a huge impact on conservation efforts and the management of our protected areas. This situation also provides an opportunity for the enemies of nature to commit their offences (poaching) against wild species including elephants.
Was there a particular moment or experience in your career that had a profound influence on your passion for wildlife conservation?
My stay (four years) in the W National Park of Niger allowed me to visit the entire WAP ecological block and to be amazed by the natural treasure that our countries abound in terms of wildlife diversity and the services they provide to local communities. This experience created in me an attachment and a considerable commitment to the conservation and protection of this wildlife, which is facing enormous challenges.