By Abdullahi Lukman
Wildlife conservation group, Wild Africa, has called on Nigeria to strengthen efforts to protect its shrinking elephant population by addressing the escalating human-elephant conflicts, especially crop raiding and related injuries.
The appeal coincides with World Elephant Day 2025, themed “Bringing the World Together to Help Elephants,” according to a statement released Tuesday by Festus Iyorah, Nigeria Representative of Wild Africa.
Iyorah highlighted that Nigeria’s elephant numbers have plummeted from over 1,200 three decades ago to between 300 and 400 today, existing in fragmented herds mainly in Yankari Game Reserve, Cross River National Park, and Okomu National Park.
He warned that habitat destruction is pushing elephants into closer proximity with human settlements, increasing the risk of conflicts that sometimes result in fatalities, as illustrated by a recent case in Ogun State where a farmer was killed by an elephant.
The National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) identifies human-elephant conflict as the greatest threat to the species in Nigeria.
The plan, developed by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation with the Federal Government, promotes habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, early warning systems, and community support through non-lethal deterrents such as chilli repellents, noise-makers, and beehive fences.
Iyorah emphasized the need for smarter land-use planning, stronger community engagement, and rapid response teams to mitigate conflicts. Citing Zimbabwe’s “Wildlife Info” WhatsApp chatbot as an example, he advocated for accessible technology to provide real-time advice on peaceful coexistence.
Wild Africa also praised Nigeria’s recent legislative progress with the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, which has passed the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate.
If enacted, the law will strengthen the country’s capacity to fight wildlife crime and protect critical habitats.
The organisation urged Nigerians to coexist peacefully with elephants and support conservation efforts to ensure both people and wildlife can thrive together.
