Wildlife trafficking represents a serious and organized threat in Ivory Coast, transforming the country into a hub for products destined for global markets.

🛍️ Targeted Species and Products

Ivorian traffickers primarily target several types of wildlife products, often to satisfy international demand, particularly in Asia and the Middle East :

1. Raw Products: Pangolin scales , ivory (used for collectible or luxury items), and panther skins are the most prized commodities.
2. Live Animals: Chimpanzees and various parrots are sought after as pets.
3. Specific Uses: Some products are sold for their purported medicinal properties or as luxury ingredients. Elephants, for example, are targeted for their ivory, hides, and even their hair, which is braided into jewelry.

🌍 Ivory Coast: Local Market and Transit Zone

The country plays a critical dual role in illicit trade:

1. Local Market: Some of the products, particularly ivory, supply local crafts .
2. Transit Zone (Regional Hub): The country is a major transit point for exports to Asia. Seized goods originate not only from neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso , Liberia , and Ghana , but also from Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon), demonstrating the existence of well-established transnational networks. These networks manage the exchange of small quantities within the country and large quantities for export.

📈 Seizure Summary

The NGO EAGLE-Côte d'Ivoire has played a key role since 2017 by assisting the authorities in the arrest of around one hundred traffickers and the seizure of large quantities of goods:

1. Pangolin scales: 4,015 kg
2. Ivory: 940 kg of raw ivory, 300 carved objects, 8 polished points
3. Felines: 11 panther skins and 2 lion skins
4. Primates: 3 live baby chimpanzees

🚨 The Fragility of Law Enforcement and Organized Crime

According to Eric Tah of the EAGLE Network, the fight is hampered by a lack of recognition of the seriousness of these crimes. Traffickers are not sufficiently perceived as a threat to society and often escape fairly severe prison sentences.

A Fourth-Tier Global Market

Wildlife trafficking is a transnational organized crime activity that shares methods, routes, and even networks with other major illicit trafficking activities (drugs, weapons).

1. Correlation: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ) confirms the link with drug and arms trafficking. The same criminal organizations use shell companies and similar fraudulent schemes to transport various illegal products.
2. Economic Weight: This trade is considered the fourth largest illegal market in the world , after drugs, weapons, and human beings, generating between 7 and 23 billion CFA francs according to the UN.

Call for Strict Law Enforcement

To combat this crime, the NGO EAGLE-Côte d'Ivoire insists on the rigorous application of Law No. 2024-364 of June 11, 2024, concerning wildlife management. This legislation stipulates:

1. Sentences: 6 months to 20 years in prison.
2. Fines: 500,000 to 20 million CFA francs.

The NGO warns that the non-enforcement of this law creates fertile ground for international traffickers and could lead to an increase in related evils such as arms, drug and human trafficking.