C. Africa’s forest rangers in rebels’ line of fire

After a UN arms embargo imposed on the country in 2013, the rangers rely increasingly on their knowledge of the terrain and on their training, which they get from a French former paratrooper.

The government does not want to supply more weapons for fear they will end up in rebel hands.

“We’ve only got the Kalashnikov, what can we do?” said Sergeant Eric. “It’s a very, very dangerous job.”

But he hopes they can help reverse the trend and bring the animals back, saying: “This is our heritage.”