Title: The Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park: an animal reserve in full renaissance
Introduction
The Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park, located in the northeast of the Central African Republic, is undergoing a remarkable renaissance. For three years, considerable efforts have been made by the Central African government, in partnership with UNESCO and the NGO Wildlife Conservation Society Program, to safeguard the fauna and flora of this reserve. Thanks to funding from Norway, eco-guards are committed to protecting the park from foreign poachers and local hunters. Let’s enter this wild world and discover the hard work of these heroes of nature.
The nocturnal mission of the ecoguards
It’s 1 a.m., and it’s time for the ecoguards to prepare for their nighttime mission. Surveillance cameras have detected the presence of a group of armed poachers, and it is time for the team to intervene. Under the flag, the eco-guards receive instructions from the leader before embarking on this perilous adventure.
The forest is dense and dark, and the weather forecast predicts torrential rain. But this in no way affects the morale of the ecoguards. Sabone Fortus, in charge of the fight against poaching, explains: “Our job consists of organizing patrols throughout the park. The fauna and flora are real riches, and it is our duty to protect them. If we do not If we fail to protect them, we are doing our country a disservice.”
Confrontation with poachers
Equipped with Kalashnikovs, satellite communication devices and flashlights attached to their heads, the ecoguards set out in search of poachers. Their weapons are ready to be used, and the scouts are scanning the area, watching for the slightest movement.
These eco-guards, men and women, know the territory like the back of their hand. In her khaki uniform, Bertille expresses her determination: “As an ecoguard, it is my duty to protect the animals of our country until the last drop of my blood. If the poachers try anything, they will have to face to me.”
The victory of preservation
Under the starry sky, the three poachers are finally arrested. They are taken to the extraction zone where a 4×4 vehicle awaits them. Alain Camille, leader of the troop, declares: “They will be handed over to justice to be punished according to their crimes. We have done our job, it is up to justice to do the rest.”
Each year, ecoguards manage to arrest around a hundred poachers, whether local or foreign, from Chad, Yemen, Niger and Sudan. These arrests are followed by a handover to the competent authorities. Despite the difficult living conditions, the ecoguards are aware that they embody the eyes, ears and guardians of this precious heritage..
Conclusion
The Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park is being reborn thanks to the joint efforts of the Central African government, UNESCO, the NGO Wildlife Conservation Society Program and the intervention of eco-guards. This animal reserve, once threatened by poaching, is gradually regaining its former splendor. Ecoguards, true heroes of nature, fight tirelessly to protect this natural wealth, thus ensuring a better future for the animals and flora of this region.