Angola: First war, now peace, ravages wildlife

A large number of animals came close to extinction during the Angolan civil war. The once abundant wildlife is still under severe threat, poaching is common, laws are not enforced and there are just a few areas where the animals are secure. "Angola may lose all of its once rich biodiversity very soon if urgent action is not taken to preserve the protected areas and the endangered species. First, I was worried about the loss as a result of the war, and now as a result of the peace," Tamar Ron, UN Development Programme advisor to the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Environment, told IRIN.