Poaching threatens the survival of savanna elephants in Central Africa. Over the last two decades, the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants programme has recorded 3 004 illegal elephant kills in this region. In April 2023, several elephants were killed in the Beinamar region of Chad, close to the Cameroon border, sparking concerns about a potential resurgence of poaching in this region. The Bouba Ndjida National Park, located in the North Region of Cameroon, shares a border with the Sena Oura Biosphere Reserve in Chad. It has been repeatedly targeted by heavily armed poachers from Chad and Sudan who are driven by the international demand for ivory and the need for additional income streams to fund their activities. These issues are compounded by systemic weaknesses. Inadequate surveillance capabilities, local tolerance of poaching, pervasive corruption, limited state presence in remote areas, porous borders and ongoing regional instability all increase the park’s vulnerability to illegal activity. In 2012, around 650 elephants were killed in Bouba Ndjida National Park by a faction of the Sudanese Janjaweed militia. This was reportedly orchestrated by Sudanese clans affiliated with the Janjaweed, along with some members of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces. At the time, the park was protected by only five rangers who were equipped with outdated MAS 35 rifles. They were supported by roughly 20 villagers armed with traditional weapons. This pivotal incident prompted Cameroon to adopt a green militarisation strategy that integrates Cameroonian military approaches and values into conservation practices.