This is becoming an all too familiar headline from the Central African Republic (CAR), and as a result many aid organizations are pulling back from the remote areas of the CAR to the relative safety in the capital city of Bangui….which is tragic in the very least. They are pulling back when and where they are needed the most. In a completely separate incident, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has pulled all of its operation out of the CAR bush town of Bangassou (located in the center of the country) and back to Bangui where it is safe. Quoting from their web site: “Today, the 30 children under five who were in intensive care in the Bangassou hospital will not be seen by doctors or nurses. The
In 1977 the northern part of the Central African Republic was the home of 35,093 known elephants. Between March and June of this year a very extensive and systematic wildlife survey was conducted in our Area of Operation, using two aircraft outfitted with mission specific equipment. This aerial survey lasted for 60 days. During that time a small Ranger team in one vehicle also took part in a 60 day survey. (As Director of Operations for African Wildlife Initiative I took part in a portion of this survey with the Rangers.) The Ranger team was eventually able to locate and interview several Bushmen who reported seeing 10 elephants, and these were the ONLY elephants that were counted in t
