Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Amina Aouadi
Published on 2024-02-19 12:11:54
A scene as striking as it is tragic has captivated the attention of Algerians this week, when the corpse of a lioness was discovered in a ravine near the city of Bordj Bou Arreridj, 200km southeast of Algiers. The video of this gruesome discovery went viral on social media, sparking a torrent of questions and concerns throughout the country.
The Atlas lion, an ancestral emblem of the region, has long been extinct in North Africa. So how did a lioness, a symbol of power and majesty, end up lifeless in this stream? Speculations are flying, fueling a national debate as fiery as the savannah itself.
Several theories have emerged to try to clarify this disconcerting mystery. Some wonder if the animal escaped from a zoo. If so, why did the zoo authorities not report its disappearance earlier?
Others consider the possibility that the carcass was simply abandoned by an unscrupulous zoological establishment. However, with clear legal procedures for the management of deceased animals, this hypothesis raises more questions than it solves.
Another equally troubling theory suggests that an individual may have illegally possessed the animal, disposing of its carcass in the shadows. It should be noted that it is strictly forbidden to possess wild animals in Algeria, a measure established for decades in order to protect endangered species.
Indeed, in accordance with the interministerial decree of February 14, 1986, the possession, import, export, commercialization, and even mere possession of all wild animals, including lions, are expressly prohibited.
This prohibition has been reaffirmed by law No. 03-04 of February 19, 2003, relating to the protection of wild fauna and flora, thereby emphasizing the ongoing commitment of the Algerian authorities to the preservation of national biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the municipality of El Yachir announced on its Facebook page that the animal’s carcass had been buried on site. However, despite this decision, the mystery persists as to the exact circumstances of the lioness’s death.
The origin of her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery, further fueling speculation and concern among the population.
Read the original article(French) on Algerie 360
