Sick Elephants Raises Concerns Among Locals, Calls for Urgent Intervention

By: Saizay M. Mulbah

Cape Mount, Liberia:  Elephants in poor health in Western Liberia has raised concerns among community members in Vargaye, Grand Cape Mount County. Residents report that one of the elephants has been sick for a month, although the exact cause of its illness remains unknown.

Some locals believes the illness may be related to a trap wire that is seen on the trunk of one of the elephants that are often seen moving in pairs. Incidents of human-wildlife conflicts have been increasing in recent months in various towns in Grand Cape Mount County.

These conflicts, which involve elephants raiding crops and entering human settlements, have heightened tensions and fears among local residents.

The situation has gotten to a point where residents are taking the matter into their own hands to protect their livelihoods and families, as mediation between the opposing forces has been lacking.

The lack of intervention from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) is contributing to the increase in conflicts and putting both humans and wildlife at risk.