The federal government has launched a 10-year national
action plan to protect endangered elephants in the country.
A statement by Ibrahim Goni, the National Park Service (NPS)
conservator-general, said the plan was launched in collaboration with the
Elephant Protection Initiative.
Goni noted that the action plan will last from 2024 to 2034,
adding that the service also inaugurated other conservation initiatives to
protect other endangered species.
He added that 25 African Grey Parrots have been rescued from
wildlife traders and released into the forests in Cross River.
Goni said the initiatives had led to 621 arrests, with 466
prosecutions and 94 warnings, highlighting the service’s dedication to the
fight against wildlife crime.
He added that the service has also enhanced its
anti-poaching monitoring through the deployment of high-technology equipment
like drones, power chutes, and GSM technology.
Goni thanked partners, noting that they have facilitated
donations from organisations such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to the service.
“We also have donations from Sustainability and Conservation
Education for Rural Areas (SCERA) and ACReSAL, supporting the service with
essential equipment, training, and funding,” he added.
“Furthermore, 30 forest guards from the federal capital
territory forestry department were trained in forest resources conservation and
protection by the service.’’
He added that despite the achievements, the service also
faced some security challenges, including banditry and terrorism in the course
of discharging its duties.
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