Transboundary protection of wildlife in Central African subregion: A legal appraisal of the Tri-National Sangha (TNS)

The world from time in memoriam has been engaged in the protection of wildlife and central Africa and Cameroon in particular has not remained indifferent. This study examines the complex legal framework surrounding wildlife protection in Cameroon, country rich in biodiversity yet facing significant poaching and illegal trafficking. A lot of mechanisms are put in place to ensure the protection of wildlife in central Africa. We have for example a joint initiative like the Tri-National de la Sangha, which is a large protected rainforest area in Central Africa shared by Cameroon, Central African Republic and Republic of the Congo. It combines three national parks which are; Lobeke national park, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Nouabale-Ndoki National Park respectively and protects rich wildlife, including forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and chimpanzees. The site was internationally recognized in 2012 by UNESCO as a world Heritage Site for its exceptional biodiversity and importance to conservation. Beside this, there exit institutions charged with the responsibility to protect wildlife specifically in Cameroon. In the midst of the above, illegal poaching and trafficking keeps intensifying across the African subregion with particular focus on Cameroon. This could be justified because of the numerous challenges encountered in the protection of wildlife in central Africa. We therefore recommend that the African subregion and Cameroon in particular should invest in new technologies in tracking and introduce severe sanctions against poachers.