Brothers involved in illegal sale of Chimpanzee parts arrested

The two suspects 41 year-old Ngale Jean Jerome and 30 year-old Moto Joel identified as brothers were arrested by the Manjo control post of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife with the collaboration of the Gendarmerie in the Littoral Region while they were about to sell four Chimpanzee skulls.

The alleged poachers travelled from Mangamba to Manjo to find a market for the chimpanzee skulls which are used in making traditional medication.

Apparently conscious of their crime, the suspects consulted a soothsayer to get good luck charms before embarking on the journey.

The arrest operation was carried out with the technical assistance of the Last Great Ape Organisation, LAGA which seeks to protect the endangered species which are near extinction.

Experts say chimps from Cameroon and Nigeria whose population stand at 6000 are amongst the most endangered species.

The forestry law in Cameroon punishes illegal hunting, possession and commercialization of protected wildlife species.