Senegal’s illegal big cat trade grows, fueled by the belief in gris-gris talismans crafted from lion and leopard parts.
In Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park, the morning’s tranquility is interrupted by the tracks of lions, whose population is critically endangered in West Africa. Despite heightened protections, the park’s lions face ongoing threats from poaching, driven largely by mystical beliefs surrounding gris-gris, talismans made from animal parts believed to possess magical powers.
A recent investigation by Panthera, a wild cat conservation group, revealed that lion and leopard parts are sold in 80% of markets surveyed, with demand increasing in recent years. While Niokolo-Koba’s lion population has doubled since 2017, an average of two lions are still lost to poaching each year.
The gris-gris, crafted from animal skins and inscribed with Quranic verses, are highly sought after for spiritual protection, health, and success. For many in Senegal, lion parts, as symbols of power and strength, are particularly valued. Police officers, wrestlers, and politicians often use these talismans for protection or influence, while everyday citizens wear them to guard against curses.
The trade of lion and leopard parts has created a complex smuggling network that spans the continent, with skins likely sourced from East and Southern Africa, making their way into Senegal through clandestine routes. Despite law enforcement’s best efforts, the smuggling network remains tough to dismantle, and authorities have only confiscated a small fraction of the illegal trade.
At the heart of the issue are the marabouts, influential religious leaders who prescribe gris-gris to their followers. Many marabouts, such as Cheikh Camara, see no contradiction between prescribing gris-gris for protection and the poaching of lions, further fueling the demand for lion parts.
The consequences for lions are grave. As few as 250 lions remain in West Africa, and while the Niokolo-Koba park has made strides in boosting lion populations, the illegal trade threatens their survival. With outdated wildlife laws and minimal penalties for offenders, the challenge of protecting Senegal’s lions and leopards remains monumental.
To address the issue, experts suggest that cultural change must go hand-in-hand with stronger enforcement. Dr. Cheikh Babou, a historian and expert in West African Islam, emphasizes that convincing people to shift away from gris-gris and towards other means of protection will be key to ensuring the survival of Senegal’s big cats.
