Elephants Invade City in Cameroon

Wildlife officials reported today, Wednesday, that they are combating a herd of roaming elephants in the regional capital of northern Cameroon this week, after the animals caused damage to surrounding villages and killed at least two people. The International Union for Conservation of Nature states that "Cameroon has an estimated 6,830 elephants, making it one of the largest remaining populations of endangered animals in Africa." Forest and wildlife official Jean Nimeg stated that "four elephants charged into the city of Meroua, the capital of the Extreme North region, after previously trampling a child in a nearby village." Nimeg added, "The elephants moved in search of water due to the arid nature of the area," noting that the herd was first spotted near the border with Chad. Nimeg indicated that rangers are attempting to drive the elephants towards a national park located about 120 kilometers away from the city of Meroua.