WILDLEX

Mr. Potts was convicted of 11 counts under the Wildlife Act, R.S.A. 200, c.W-10. The issue for consideration is what is a fit and appropriate sentence given all the proper considerations.

In February 2014, elements of the conservation service of the National Park of Lobeke received reliable information about the presence of some poachers in the said park. Following this, on the 19 February, the elements organized a surveillance and control patrol in the peripheral area of the park (ZIC 31).

On the 16 April 2013, elements of the conservation service of the Boumba Bek National Park arrested the accused in the hunting zone of Libongo, of the Boumba Bek National Park in possession of freshly butchered totally protected animal species. This includes Chimpanzees, Gorillas and a deer.

On the 19 June 2013, elements of the Nki national park were carrying out an anti-poaching patrol in the locality of Alati. During this patrol, the elements received reliable information about some poaching activity in the village of Mengom around Ntam.

On the 3rd September 2015, the conservation service of the Dja Biosphere reserve arrested the accused persons, Bekono Aline & Ella Belinga Chancelin during an anti-poaching patrol. They were arrested on their motorbike carrying freshly killed 1 yellow bay duiker, 2 mandrills and a smoked Agile Mangabey.

On the 6 April 2016, elements of the Nki National park carried out a sweep operation in the sectors of Ngoyla, and Eta-Frontière-Djadom-Ntam Carrefour. During this sweep operation, the accused Essogo Daniel and Sabel Yannick were found in possession of freshly killed 6 blue duikers, 2 Sitatungas, 1 Agile Mangabey, and 1 hunting gun.

On the 16 April 2013, elements of the conservation service of the Boumba Bek National Park arrested the accused, NKOMBO MPEKA Gerard in the hunting zone of Libongo, of the Boumba Bek National park, a protected area in possession of parts of totally protected animal species, notably Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Deer.

The accused BIKOULI SONOLO Christys was arrested in Ngolla 35, a classified protected area by elements of the conservation service in possession of Deer meat. Upon arrest, he could not legally back up his presence in the protected area and the possession of this protected animal specie.

LAMBI Sévérin was arrested in LOBEKE national park, a protected area, in possession of carcasses of class B protected animals species, in particular Deer meat. Upon his arrest, he gave no legal explanation for his presence in this park, and could not justify the possession of these protected animal species he was caught with.

The accused NAMEIBIO Delaine was arrested by elements of the conservation service in Mbol 12, a protected zone. She was found in possession of Gorilla and Deer meat. Upon arrest, she could not legally back up her presence in the protected area and the possession of totally protected animal species.