The Wild Africa Fund (WAF), a non-profit organization, has stressed the importance of enacting strong laws and implementing rigorous enforcement measures to protect endangered species in the country.
Recently, WAF launched an awareness campaign on Endangered Species Day, an annual event dedicated to celebrating and taking action for the preservation of at-risk animal species.
The organization appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill and urged Nigerians to join the cause of safeguarding endangered creatures.
WAF expressed optimism that the bill would be enacted into law, serving as a significant deterrent against wildlife and forest-related crimes in the country.
In the words of Kelechukwu Iruoma, the Nigeria Representative of WAF, “This crucial legislation would significantly enhance enforcement efforts and facilitate the prosecution of wildlife trafficking offenders, effectively putting an end to the illegal killing of Nigeria’s wildlife.”
Iruoma further highlighted the unfortunate fact that Nigeria’s iconic giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs have already become extinct due to illegal wildlife activities, emphasizing the disastrous consequences of losing any more endangered animals.
Related Posts
The vital role played by these endangered species in preserving the ecosystem cannot be overstated. For instance, pangolins alone consume approximately 70 million insects each year, regulating insect populations and promoting crop growth.
WAF founder Peter Knights applauded the recent conviction and subsequent four-year imprisonment of two Nigerians for conspiracy and unlawful possession of pangolin scales and elephant tusks, hailing the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and the prosecuting authorities for this historic achievement.
Knights urged them to continue their commendable efforts in eradicating all forms of wildlife crime within the country, expressing hope that this development marks the beginning of a new era where Nigeria becomes a regional leader in wildlife crime enforcement and prosecution.
Furthermore, WAF called upon all Nigerians to firmly reject the consumption of illegal bushmeat as a means to alleviate the pressures faced by endangered species. Nigeria boasts a diverse range of wild animals, including pangolins, lions, chimpanzees, elephants, gorillas, vultures, manatees, and parrots.
However, these creatures are currently classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species, primarily due to the pervasive issues of poaching for bushmeat, illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal logging resulting from encroachment by local communities for agricultural expansion.
