Elephant poachers arrested at Vamboi

Elephants form part of the endangered species in Ghana, despite several efforts by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to protect these animals, activities of poachers continue to prevail in some parts of the country.

On May 20, 2020, an elephant was found dead at Vamboi in the Sissala East District, believed to have been hunted down by poachers for its tusk.

According to the Executive Director of the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division, Bernard Asamoah-Boateng, investigations into the killing of the elephant led to the arrest of four persons who are expected to be put before court in the coming days.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, our staff is still working tirelessly on the ground to protect our forest reserves,” said Bernard Asamoah-Boateng in a press conference on May 28.

The four suspects who were apprehended by the Wildlife taskforce and policemen in the Upper West Region remain in police custody. Mr. Asamoah-Boateng also admonished settlers around the various forest reserves to desist from the horrific attacks on animals.

In Ghana and parts of Africa, elephants are mainly hunted for their tusk which is used to produce ivory, used in the manufacturing of piano keys and other decorative objects.