Hunter kills an endangered species, Chimpanzee in Cameroon

Celestine, a hunter, is responding to treatment in a health facility after wrestling with a Chimpanzee in Yimbere, Bankim Sub Division of Mayo-Banyo Division, Cameroon’s Adamawa Region.

Confirmed reports say that the fight resulted in the death of the Chim.

Reactions have been diverse, with many questioning how a hunter would engage a Chimpanzee in a fight and end up killing it. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 16, 2023, MMI has learned.

What really happened?

MMI gathered that Celestine “fired at the Chimpanzee, throwing it to the ground, and when he thought it was dead, he stopped.”

“Little did he know, the Chimpanzee was still alive and had reserved its last strength to either die with its shooter or save its life by killing the hunter,” said a source, who added that the animal later attacked him, thereby triggering a serious fight between the two.

Lazare, a witness, said, “The hunter finally killed the Chimpanzee. He (the hunter) sustained serious wounds on his arm and leg.”

Relatives and friends, whom he alerted, assisted the hunter in taking the animal home. Celestine is also receiving treatment at a local health facility.

There are now fears that Celestine is likely to face the law because the slain animal falls under a protected species in Cameroon, but conflicts and a lack of sensitization are constantly putting the lives of these species in danger.