The Central African Republic has become the 26th country to join the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), a pan-African alliance of countries dedicated to the conservation of elephants and the harmonious coexistence of elephants and people.
The EPI is a global initiative that brings together African elephant range states, IGOs, NGOs, the private sector, and individual citizens to protect elephants and put an end to the illegal ivory trade and ensure the harmonious coexistence of people and elephants.
Over the past 10 years, the illegal ivory trade has reportedly affected Central Africa’s elephants. According to the Africa Elephant Status Report, 2016, the savanna populations of the Central African Republic have almost completely disappeared, with the only remaining populations occurring in the forested south-west area.
Mr. David Ouangado, the Acting Director General of Water, Forests, Hunting, and Fishing in the Central African Republic, is recognised for his commitment to the preservation of biodiversity and fostering human-elephant coexistence through legislature and strategic partnerships. The decision by the Central African Republic to join the EPI demonstrates the country’s political commitment to conserving its remaining elephant population.
The Central African Republic has pledged to work together with the EPI to implement the African Elephant Action Plan and to join global political leadership to protect elephants, promote sustainable livelihoods, and ensure the harmonious coexistence of people and elephants. As part of this initiative, they also commit to closing national ivory markets, observing a moratorium on international ivory trade until African elephant populations are no longer threatened, and keeping national ivory stocks out of all economic use.
The EPI Foundation serves as the secretary for the EPI. Its CEO, John E. Scanlon AO, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Central African Republic as the 26th member of the EPI, joining the majority of Central African countries already part of the Initiative. This expansion enhances our ability to help coordinate regional efforts for greater impact. The EPI Foundation looks forward to supporting the Central African Republic’s government in reaching its elephant conservation goals.”
The EPI Foundation will work closely with the Central African Republic by:
- Helping to secure stockpiles of ivory and other wildlife products through inventories and improved stockpile management.
- Providing technical expertise in developing elephant action plans and managing human-elephant conflict (HEC).
- Developing a national elephant action plan (NEAP).
- Amplifying the voices of their conservation journalists and other related support.
