Cameroon: Taylor Guitars, Crelicam Develop Ebony Permit Framework

The legal framework in Cameroon governing wildlife protection is primarily anchored in Law No. 94/01 of 20 January 1994 on Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries, which criminalizes the hunting, capture, detention, transport, and commercialization of protected species. Pangolins, with three species native to Cameroon (common, long-tailed, and giant), are classified as highly protected species and are listed as threatened with extinction by the IUCN. Their trade is also prohibited by international conventions such as CITES, to which Cameroon is a signatory, imposing obligations on member states to regulate and prevent illegal trade. The prosecution before the Tribunal de Grande Instance (High Court) indicates the serious nature of the charges, which can lead to substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences under Cameroonian law.