In a bid to not only eradicate the menace of wildlife poachers in the country, the Federal Government has inaugurated the National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) to combat poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
NEAP is charged with the task of planning and monitoring elephant conservation measures with a framework for the strategies and decision-making of all relevant government institutions, donor agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed recently at the unveiling of the document in Abuja.
Salako explained that the inauguration of NEAP was another step in the determination of the government to continue to protect Nigeria’s natural resources and wildlife.
He noted that the event marked another milestone in the Federal Government’s progressive efforts to reverse the current negative trend, adding that it would secure the preservation and conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity with focus on the elephant.
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“Elephants are special creatures whose demonstration of the finest human traits like self-awareness, intelligence and empathy is unmatched among the animal kingdom.
“It is common knowledge that threats to our biodiversity and indeed our iconic wildlife species of global significance such as elephants are becoming endemic in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said that the government is conscious of this emergency and is not leaving any stone unturned in halting and reversing the ugly situation.
“Elephants are part of our history and heritage in Nigeria and the world-famous culture.
“They are critical ecosystem engineers, forest gardeners and seed dispersers supporting the growth of flora and fauna and fostering biodiversity.
“In many cultures, they are source of livelihood sustenance, especially through eco-tourism,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s elephant population is under severe threat, particularly the small, isolated populations of forest elephants believed to reproduce much more slowly than savanna elephants.
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