By Henry B. Gboluma, Jr. | Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County
The Superintendent of Gbarpolu County, Sam K. Zinnah, has rejected a US$500 “sympathy” payment offered by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to the family of a man killed by an elephant in Guyanta, Bopolu District. The refusal underscores mounting tensions between local authorities and the FDA over the handling of human-wildlife conflicts in the county.
During a meeting in Bopolu City on Sunday, March 22, the FDA delegation extended additional condolence gestures: US$100 to Superintendent Zinnah, US$50 to the District Commissioner, and US$50 to the Paramount Chief. Zinnah declined, citing what he described as the FDA’s inconsistent treatment of residents. He recalled that eight villagers from Sando were fined US$500 each for killing an elephant, yet the agency only appeared weeks later with a token offer following the death of a human being.
“This is unacceptable,” Zinnah said, questioning why the FDA failed to consult him during the prosecution of the villagers but arrived belatedly to express sympathy. He stressed that human life must take precedence over animal protection. “No elephant is important to any of us,” he declared.
The meeting grew tense after FDA Regional Forester Kollie Bonner was confronted over a Facebook post blaming Gbarpolu residents for repeated elephant attacks. Bonner apologized, saying his remarks were not intended to offend, but civil society organizations (CSOs) and local leaders rejected the FDA’s overtures. The delegation returned to Monrovia, promising to develop a more comprehensive response.
CSOs in the county have since threatened legal action against the FDA, arguing that the agency has failed to protect communities from roaming elephants that destroy farms and endanger lives. Residents complain that warnings to “exercise caution” in forest areas are insufficient, demanding concrete measures to safeguard both people and livelihoods.
The incident highlights the growing strain between conservation policies and rural survival. While the FDA insists on protecting endangered species, local authorities argue that the agency must balance wildlife preservation with human safety. Superintendent Zinnah has called for stronger preventive strategies and more substantial support for affected communities.
The FDA is expected to return with proposals for community-based protection and a revised compensation package. For now, the rejection of its initial offer has amplified calls for accountability and a reassessment of Liberia’s approach to human-wildlife conflict.
