Bukavu – A police officer in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been detained for alleged poaching after locals heard the screams of a baby monkey coming from his bag, officials said on Monday.
People were waiting at a motorbike-taxi stand on Friday near Kahuzi-Biega natural park, a vast area of tropical forest in South Kivu province, when the passing officer attracted suspicion.
They confronted him after hearing the screams coming from his bag, said the head of a local civil-society group Delphin Birimbi.
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The bag was later found to contain one dead adult monkey – which had been shot – and a living eight-month old infant.
Birimbi added that park rangers had taken the police officer to the military prosecutor’s office.
“We thank the people living near the Kahuzi-Biega park, who are becoming aware of the ‘ecocide’ that is taking place around and inside this protected area,” said Josue Aruna, the head of a provincial green group.
The infant monkey, dubbed “Bushaku”, was taken to the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre near the park.
Aruna said anyone with firearms in protected areas risk up to three years in prison, and a fine of between $50-750.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Pixabay
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