Angola opens wildlife conservation police academy

Angola has launched its largest wildlife conservation police academy as part of a nationwide effort to protect the environment and safeguard the bio-diversity of the African country.

The school was inaugurated at Menonge, capital of the central Cuando Cubango province on Saturday by Angolan and United Nations officials on the eve of the international environment day which falls on June 5.

Cutting the ribbon for the academy, Executive Director of the U.N. Environment Program Achim Steiner said the training of wildlife conservation police itself was part of environment protection efforts, and he was glad that many Angolans were ready to join the fight against illegal trafficking in wildlife products.

School Master Elias Zeca Kawina said currently the academy was able to train 500 officers at one time and would mainly recruit war veterans who had retired from the military after decades of civil wars ended in 2002.

He said graduates from the school would be sent to work in different conservation areas to combat poaching and illegal trade of wild life products to protect the environment and promote eco-tourism in the African country. Endit