The Minister (State) of Environment in Nigeria, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has launched a framework which will enable the country to arrest the dwindling wildlife population. It is noted that the elephant population in the country has suffered immensely due to habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts between humans and wildlife, leading to a devastating 99 per cent decline in their numbers, TheMediaGood Newspaper can report.
Salako emphasized that, in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Nigerian Government plans to use National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) as a strategic framework to protect elephants and conserve the nation’s biodiversity.
The Country Director for the Wildlife Conservation Society (Nigeria), Andrew Dunn, who was instrumental in drafting the comprehensive NEAP, noted that preserving Nigeria’s last elephants will require more than just financial resources; it will necessitate a significant shift in attitudes and a renewed commitment from federal and state governments to recognize the link between human well-being, global health, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
On his part, the CEO of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, John Scanlon AO, which supported the NEAP process, expressed optimism about the plan’s potential, saying that ‘The situation of Nigeria’s elephants is desperate but not hopeless. This plan offers us a last chance to conserve these magnificent animals.’
The NEAP, a 10-year strategic plan spanning from 2024 to 2034, outlines key components such as enhanced law enforcement, anti-poaching initiatives, modern technology for monitoring and intelligence sharing, and community engagement to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants.