In the Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris game reserve, a place where the beauty of nature is in constant struggle against the destructive forces of man, a woman stands out in her commitment to protect endangered flora and fauna. Through this article, we invite you to discover the atypical daily life of an ecoguard in the heart of this exceptional reserve.
Bertille, a young woman of 20, is a member of a team of eco-guards responsible for patrolling this vast reserve of 17,400 km2. Its mission: to hunt down poachers, track elephant footprints and protect animal species trying to find their place in this park.
Within the Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris camp, the ecoguards each have a basic shelter, built with resources from the surrounding forest. Early in the morning, Bertille, dressed in her camouflage outfit, joins her colleagues for the morning meeting. With her six foot height and short hair, she was nicknamed “Bamara”, the lioness, by her comrades in arms. She prepares carefully, loading her thirty kilo bag with all the necessary equipment: tent, mat, torch, compass, water and food supplies.
Bertille’s day begins with a workout, followed by some housework. Then, after a quick breakfast, she launches straight into her mission. For a week, his team carries out foot patrols throughout the park, looking for elephant footprints and traces of poachers. A difficult job, but one that she accomplishes with unfailing determination: “I am 20 years old and for two years, I have devoted my life to safeguarding this heritage. We have unique specimens in the world, which could be a pillar for the development of our country through tourism.”
Bertille is a force of nature, a warrior committed to protecting wildlife, ready to risk her life to preserve that of endangered animals. In an often hostile environment, marked by seasonal rains which flood many areas of the park, she roams difficult terrain for several hours, braving swamps and natural obstacles. Ludovic, one of her colleagues, admires her courage: “It’s difficult work and women are rarely motivated to do it. We have undergone quasi-military training to protect our lives and those of the animals. We regularly face armed poachers, and she always defends herself brilliantly. She’s a true warrior!”
This fight for the preservation of wildlife is all the more dear to Bertille since she lost her brother in tragic circumstances. In 2013, he was killed by armed men in their parents’ field. His brother also dreamed of becoming an eco-guard, to protect this precious natural heritage.. In honor of his memory, Bertille committed to continuing this fight to the end, convinced that he would be proud of her: “My brother wanted to be a conservation hero. Out of respect for him, I decided to continue the fight. I think he would be proud of me where he is.”
While the Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris reserve is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in danger, Bertille and her fellow ecoguards work tirelessly to save this natural treasure. Their dedication and courage are the pillars of this hope of preserving the richness of the fauna and flora for future generations.