Hunters in Niger lament loss of range to Islamist threat

Abdou Kouda, 53, a Nigerien hunter takes a break with his hunting dogs during a day of hunting in Gasalbodi, in the countryside near Niamey, Tillaberi Region in Niger ​February 25, 2024. ​REUTERS/Mahamadou Hamidou

NIAMEY (Reuters) - Hunting for small game is a traditional pursuit across the vast sandy steppes in West Africa's Sahel region, but rising violence linked to a decade-old fight with Islamist insurgents has limited the range for hunters in Niger like Abdou Kouda.

"Before ... people were allowed to go anywhere they wanted to hunt, all they needed was formal authorisation," the 53-year-old said, resting during a hunt in early March as a lean hound panted by his side.