The oryx and the management of national wildlife heritage were once again at the heart of debates in the National Assembly. In committee, members of parliament questioned Minister Abdourahmane Diouf on several pressing issues.

The Situation of Hann Park and Niokolo Koba

The elected officials raised concerns about the poor condition of the Hann Zoological and Forest Park and proposed exploring a public-private partnership for its rehabilitation. The members of parliament also questioned the Minister about measures to preserve Niokolo Koba National Park.

The parliamentarians wanted clarification on the situation of the four remaining oryx and on a former arms contract worth 45 billion FCFA.

In response to these concerns, Abdourahmane Diouf reiterated that oryx are a true national treasure. He emphasized that the state could make them available in private wildlife reserves, thereby protecting them while simultaneously promoting their presence in a secure environment.

This questioning follows a previous controversy sparked by the deaths of two protected species during the transfer of six Oryx gazelles to a private reserve. Several environmentalists suspected that the reserve belonged to the Minister. In a statement, the Minister acknowledged the transfer and the deaths of two of the six gazelles. The statement specified: "Two animals died during their nighttime transport. They sustained some injuries and a fractured femur, which proved fatal." However, the Minister neither confirmed nor denied ownership of the private reserve.