Abuja: The Taraba State Government has strongly dismissed recent claims of accruing a ?1.2 trillion debt, labeling the allegations as baseless and misleading. This statement comes amidst heightened concerns over Nigeria’s dwindling elephant population, where conservationists have flagged critical threats to the survival of the species due to habitat loss, illegal ivory trade, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, conservationists expressed their concerns during a media engagement organized by Wild Africa and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in anticipation of World Elephant Day, observed every year on August 12. Dr. Mark Ofua, a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist, highlighted the precarious status of Nigeria’s elephants, revealing that only about 400 remain in the wild, comprising approximately 300 forest elephants and 100 savannah elephants. He warned of the dangers posed by habitat fragmentation and hunting, which could lead to inbreeding and potentia
l extinction.
Dr. Ofua emphasized the vital ecological roles elephants play, describing them as ‘tenders of the forest’ and an ‘umbrella species’. Their extinction would signify an unhealthy and collapsing forest ecosystem, adversely affecting biodiversity, carbon storage, and other ecosystem services critical to human populations. The threats to these elephants stem from illegal ivory trade, retaliatory killings due to human-elephant conflicts, and accidental injuries from wildlife snares.
Furthermore, Dr. Ofua identified a significant gap in public awareness, estimating that around 80% of Nigerians are unaware of the existence of elephants within the country. He urged for heightened public education and communication efforts to change perceptions and discourage harmful practices against endangered species. He also encouraged Nigerian companies to integrate conservation into their environmental responsibilities, by adopting individual rescued elephants and supporting conservation initiatives.
On the poten
tial of ecotourism, Dr. Ofua pointed to Rwanda’s successful gorilla trekking programme as a model for Nigeria to consider. He cited the economic benefits derived from such wildlife attractions, which not only support local communities and infrastructure but also provide significant revenue for conservation efforts.
Dr. Stella Egbe of NCF highlighted the geographical distribution of forest and savannah elephants in Nigeria, noting that they are found in areas such as Omo Forest Reserve, Cross River National Park, and Yankari Game Reserve. She discussed the challenges posed by human-elephant conflicts due to habitat fragmentation, which leads to crop destruction and retaliatory killings. Egbe advocated for reducing habitat fragmentation and employing deterrent measures to prevent elephants from encroaching on farmlands.
Egbe also addressed the financial and security challenges facing conservation efforts, including the need for emergency funds to compensate affected farmers and the impact of banditry on conse
rvation activities in regions like Gashaka Gumti. She called for stronger partnerships among government, NGOs, and the private sector to enhance funding and support the implementation of the National Elephant Action Plan.
The conservationists concluded by urging for the development of Nigeria’s underutilized natural attractions to diversify the economy and provide sustainable conservation funding. They emphasized the role of media and stakeholders in sustaining public discourse on wildlife conservation and holding authorities accountable for protecting Nigeria’s remaining elephants.