** The mystical shadows of Côte d’Ivoire: when traditions meet conservation **
Lion and leopard skins are negotiated in the discretion of Ivorian markets, a phenomenon which, although legally prohibited, reveals a disturbing gap between traditional culture and the conservation of endangered species. A recent survey of the NGO Panthera highlights this reality: in 46 markets visited through Côte d’Ivoire, 50 % of them still offer products derived from large felines, despite the judicial risks incurred, when trade is liable from ten to twenty years in prison.
This article will try to analyze this phenomenon from an unexpected angle: that of the cultural and social complexity that surrounds this trade. If traditional healers and hunters such as Kassoume really perceive these animals as mystical receptacles of power, it is essential to question not only about the ecological implications of this practice, but also about the deep roots of cultural beliefs that feed this market.
## Myths and beliefs: a bridge between tradition and practice
The beliefs associated with major predators in West Africa are not anecdotal; They are an integral part of an ancestral identification, enriched by history and local mythology. Lions and leopards are often perceived as symbols of strength and power. Their counting, far from being a simple poaching act, is a ritual supposed to confer protection and good symbolic omen.
At this stage, it is essential to mention that these visions enrich the understanding of the inequalities which are woven around the value of the species. While it is easy to blame local communities for the continuation of these practices, a deeper analysis of the economic and social systems in place reveals that despair funded by poverty pushes certain populations to see in the trade in products derived from animals a means of survival.
### Ecological impact: beyond the black market
The illegal trade and the consumption of remains of threatened animals are not simply crimes against fauna, but act as a barometer indicating a much deeper discomfort within the companies that use it. According to the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN), leopards are now considered vulnerable species. Poaching and trade in these remains aggravate their situation. The ecological consequences are alarming: predators, as key species, play a crucial role in the regulation of ecosystems. The loss of such animals could therefore lead to the collapse of certain food chains, thus compromising ecological balance.
It is also essential to link this phenomenon to tourism. In 2019, the tourism sector in Côte d’Ivoire brought back around $ 1.1 billion, according to data from the World Tourism Organization. Visitors attracted by local fauna are a huge economic asset. The eradication of poaching practices could possibly offer an alternating economic model that many of these populations could finance.
### balanced solutions: education and awareness
Rather than criminalizing local actors, sustainable solutions involve awareness and education. There is no shortage of initiatives, but their impact is often winding, time -consuming, and requires a truly collaborative approach with communities and their beliefs. Educational programs that honor traditions while introducing conservation values could potentially create a paradigm shift.
Successful examples exist elsewhere on the continent: in Tanzania, conservation programs such as the “Lion Guardians” encourage pastors to protect Lions instead of eliminating them, in exchange for financial compensation for damage caused to rent animals. This shows that learning and cultural respect, when integrated into conservation strategies, can offer beneficial results for both communities and wildlife.
### Conclusion: a road strewn with pitfalls but promising
The fight against poaching and the trade in the remains of great felines in Côte d’Ivoire cannot be understood simply as a criminal problem, but as a complex question which requires a multifacete approach. The safeguarding of threatened animals requires understanding of cultural beliefs that feed their trade, as well as partnership with local populations.
It is time to work on a strategy that unites conservation and culture, making it possible to feed mutual respect rather than building walls of distrust. Only a collective and delicate action will open the doors of a future where lions and leopards can not only survive, but prosper, just like the human communities which coexist with them.