Illegal wildlife trade: NAZAP wants FG to strengthen security agencies

The Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks (NAZAP) has saidit condemns all acts of poaching and illegal wildlife trading, and charged the Federal Government to strengthen its security agencies to protect wildlife.

The organisation made this charge at the end of its annual general meeting held in Abuja, recently.

In a communique sent to Nigeria Tribune, NAZAPsaid it recognised the activities of government agencies in like the National Park Service, National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Federal and state ministries of Environment in curtailing the activities of animal traffickers.

However, the body said it “condemns in strong terms all poaching and illegal trading activities in endangered animals not limited to elephants, monkeys, tortoise, pangolin, and calls for the continued support of all stakeholders in upholding relevant local and international conventions.

“NAZAP calls on the Federal Government to build the capacities of security agencies and equip them accordingly to enable them meet emerging challenges of safe guarding our environment, animals and human lives alike.”

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At the meeting, a Wildlife Advocacy Committee was inaugurated to engage relevant stakeholders to address existing gaps in the establishment, management and monitoring of zoos and parks in Nigeria in line with international best practices.

In addition, an Accreditation Committee was inaugurated to work with the Ministry of Environment to accredit Zoological Gardens and Parks across the country.

The meeting also saw the election of new national executives for a three-year term, led by Mr Francis Abioye, General Manager, Imo State Zoological Gardens, as president.

Dr OlajumokeMorenikeji is the immediate past president.