The Nigerian government, led by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has unveiled an ambitious 10-year National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) aimed at the alarming decline in the country’s elephant population and addressing broader wildlife crimes.
Dr. Salako revealed on Tuesday, at the launch of the 10-year National Elephant Action Plan in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria’s elephant population has plummeted from 1,500 to an estimated 300-400 over the past 30 years. Elephants, which play a critical role as ecosystem engineers, are now facing severe threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. The situation is particularly dire for the country’s isolated forest elephants, which reproduce more slowly and are increasingly vulne rable.
The NEAP is designed to be a strategic tool for planning and monitoring elephant conservation efforts. It focuses on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, community engagement, and sustainable management practices.
The plan also emphasizes the importance of involving local communities and improving cooperation among government agencies, NGOs, and international partners.
A key pillar of the NEAP is community involvement, which is seen as crucial for successful conservation efforts. The plan also calls for enhanced law enforcement, with a focus on using modern technology and intelligence-sharing to disrupt illegal wildlife trade networks. The government aims to make conservation economically rewarding for local communities, thus reducing activities that harm elephants and their habitats.
Andrew Dunn, the Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, stressed that without immediate action, Nigeria’s remaining elephants could be extinct within a decade. The NEAP, he noted, represents the last chance to reverse this trend.
Sharon Ikeazor, Chairperson of the Elephant Protection Initiative Leadership Council, highlighted the multifaceted approach of the NEAP, which includes habitat restoration, ecotourism, and international collaboration.
Ruben Alba, Head of Cooperation at the European Union delegation to Nigeria, reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s conservation efforts.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to protect elephants for future generations.
