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Camp Lemonier Helps Maintain African Wildlife Refuge

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081114-06
Release Date: 11/14/2008 6:21:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander Naval Region Europe Public Affairs

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (NNS) -- U.S. military members and Department of Defense (DoD) contractors from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti (CLDJ), assisted in the conservation efforts at a local wildlife refuge during a community relations event Nov. 9 in Djibouti City, Djibouti as part of the camp's cheetah refuge volunteer program (CRVP).

A group of 17 Sailors, airmen, soldiers and DoD civilians spent four hours in the late afternoon heat at Decouvrir et Aider la Nature (Discover and Help Nature) (DECAN) animal refuge helping clear natural hazards and man-made trash from walking trails.

"The military has had a very positive impact for us here," said Dr. Bertrand Lafrance, the founder of DECAN. "There is so much work to do, that it would be impossible to do without the military's help."

Military personnel have used CRVP to volunteer at the refuge for more than two years, added the French veterinarian. The program's goal is to perform work at the refuge, increase awareness and participation, and raise funds.

Storekeeper 1st Class (SW/AW) William McCubbin said volunteering at DECAN is a great way to go outside camp and experience Africa.

"I'm an outdoors person, and this is my opportunity to see Africa's wildlife and help out the local community," said McCubbin, who volunteered at DECAN for the first time. "The best part is the cheetahs. It's not like a zoo in the United States. Here the cheetahs seem at home and act a little more wild."

The refuge houses not only cheetahs, but also ostriches, lynx, tortoises, gazelles and many other animals. Camp Lemonier personnel volunteer at DECAN three times a week for at least two hours. One of CVRP's coordinators said those who volunteer at the refuge are truly appreciated.

"Our volunteers are amazing people," said Col. Gregory Petrequin, commander of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group at CLDJ. "We get them from all of the services here, including civilian contractors. I think they enjoy volunteering because they know that it really helps the folks out, and the refuge has a true appreciation for what we do."

Since becoming one of CRVP's co-coordinators in August of this year, Petrequin said there have been nearly 150 different camp personnel who have volunteered at the refuge.

"The military volunteers have done so much here; it's impossible for me not to consider them members of the refuge," said LaFrance. "They are family."

Before founding DECAN in 2003, LaFrance, with the local police's help, rescued multiple animals from illegal sales. In 2002, the Djiboutian government loaned LaFrance a plot of land to care for animals, like the cheetah, which have been slowly disappearing from Djibouti. LaFrance hopes to educate local Djiboutians on the importance of animal conservation and increase the numbers of the animals he cares for at DECAN.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.