Ivory Coast jail sentences for chimpanzee traffickers

Two men have been sentenced to six months in prison in the first case of wildlife trafficking brought in Ivory Coast.

The men were arrested while trying to sell an infant chimp to a BBC reporter posing as the representative of a wealthy Asian buyer. Chimpanzees are in such sharp decline they are listed as endangered. Those in West Africa are judged to be critically endangered. The dealers were arrested in a dramatic raid staged by Ivorian detectives working with international police organisation Interpol, acting on information shared by BBC News. During the operation, a baby chimpanzee later named Nemley junior was freed and taken into the care of wildlife officials. After becoming used to the keepers at the zoo in Abidjan the baby chimpanzee showed signs of recovery.

Currently under Ivorian law, the maximum penalty for wildlife crime is one year in prison. A new law with tougher penalties is being prepared.

Since our reports, which were picked up around the world, Interpol is now in addition focusing on chimp smuggling and recently brought together detectives and wildlife officials from half a dozen countries to share information and coordinate action.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40222022