By Ijeoma Agbafo
Nigeria has only about 400 elephants left in the wild, with conservationists warning that habitat loss, illegal ivory trade and human-wildlife conflict are threatening the survival of the species. The warning was issued at a media engagement organised by Wild Africa and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) ahead of World Elephant Day, celebrated annually on Aug. 12.
Dr Mark Ofua, wildlife veterinarian, conservationist and West African representative of Wild Africa, said the remaining population comprised about 300 forest elephants and 100 savannah elephants. He warned that continued habitat fragmentation and hunting could lead to inbreeding and eventually push the species into extinction.
Ofua identified illegal ivory trade, retaliatory killings arising from human-elephant conflicts and accidental injuries from snares as major threats to the animals. He also expressed concern over inadequate public awareness, estimating that about 80 per cent of Nigerians were unaware that elephants still existed in the country.
Dr Stella Egbe, who leads biodiversity pillar programmes at NCF, said forest elephants were found in areas including Omo Forest Reserve, Cross River National Park and coastal areas of Rivers State, while savannah elephants were mainly found in Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State. She said habitat fragmentation had increased encounters between elephants and communities, sometimes resulting in crop destruction and retaliatory killings.
The conservationists called for stronger enforcement of wildlife laws, increased public education, improved funding and greater collaboration among government agencies, conservation organisations and the private sector. They also advocated investment in ecotourism, saying the development of Nigeria’s wildlife and natural attractions could create jobs, generate revenue and provide sustainable funding for conservation efforts.
