By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
In a bit to combat threat of elephants, habitat loss, human wildlife conflict and poaching,
the federal government has launched a 10years National Elephant Action Plan ( NEAP)for Nigeria from 2024-2034 to combat wildlife threats.
The programme was launched on Tuesday in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS, and The Elephant Protection Initiative, EPI, this is to ensure all hands are put on deck for the implementation of the plan.
Speaking during the launch, Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed that the action plan will provide all the necessary strategic framework for the coordination of all actors involved in elephant conservation and management, including government institutions, NGOs/INGOs, private sector partners and the local communities living around elephant habitats
Salako said
the National Elephant Action Plan for Nigeria (NEAP),is in line with a key priority agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unlock natural resources for sustainable development designed for planning and monitoring elephant conservation measures and will serve as a framework for the strategies and decision-making of all relevant government institutions, donor agencies and NGOs.
He explained that Elephants are special creatures whose demonstration of the finest humans traits like self-awareness, intelligence and empathy is unmatched among the animal kingdom.
He emphasized that, it is common knowledge that threat to biodiversity and indeed iconic wildlife species of global significance such elephants is becoming endemic in Nigeria.
“Our efforts are not restricted to the confines of our borders as we are also collaborating with other countries at the sub-regional and regional levels to fight wildlife and Biodiversity loss”. He emphasized
The Minister reiterated that the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance (MAANF) that Nigeria is championing alongside other countries of the global south is intended to help secure more funding into nature based solutions including protection of biodiversity while the recently signed memorandum of understanding with Cameroon on Bilateral Cooperation Framework Agreements on Transboundary Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources will not only help improve national security but also biodiversity conservation.
“One of the key pillars of the NEAP is community involvement which is apposite to successful conservation efforts. We will therefore be working more closely with communities to develop sustainable livelihoods and community conservation carbon credit schemes that could assist to improve community well-being and consequently reduce activities that are harmful to elephants and their habitats”. he further explained
He emphasised that this NEAP launch is not just a ceremonial event but a call to action to all of us across government and across society.
According to him the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Environment and other partner agencies will continue to frontally confront poaching and illegally trade in our wildlifes including elephants.
Similarly, the Chairperson , Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), Leadership Council and a former Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor said Nigeria is one of the relatively few countries in Africa that has both forest and savanna elephants, lamenting that both are now much depleted.
Sharon called on all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to the cause of elephant conservation.
She appreciated the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal and Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Department of Forestry and Head of CITES for their efforts in conservation of biodiversity.
On his part, the Head of Cooperation, the European Union delegation to Nigeria, Ruben Alba said for the next 10years this document present hope for Nigeria elephants .
Alba said those elephants need protection and the rangers need to be trained and retrained .
He reaffirmed EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s conservation efforts.
He also called on government and other stakeholders to join forces in safeguarding elephants for future generations.
Also , The Chief Executive Officer of the The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI )Foundation,
John Scanlon AO, explained that this is a desperate , but not hopeless situation.
He said “This plan offers us a last chance to conserve these magnificent animals.”
Scanlon AO, said the 10 year plan outlined in the document may offer our last chance to save these magnificent animals.
The Nigeria Country Director, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Andrew Dunn said Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa that has both savanna elephants and forest elephants; adding, within the space of 30 years, Nigeria’s elephant population has crashed from 1500 to an estimated 300 – 400 today, which is 100 savanna elephants and 200 -300 forest elephants.
Dunn said Nigeria will need a sum total of $6,000,000 yearly for the implementation, as $600,000 will be used per site yearly.
He added that the project is to ensure the long-term survival of elephants in Nigeria, reduce illegal elephant killings and trade through harmonised state and federal wildlife laws and enhanced law enforcement, maintain elephant habitats through land-use planning and the creation of wildlife corridors to mitigate conflicts with communities, Increase public awareness and community-shared economic benefits generated by tourism, enhance scientific knowledge and understanding of elephants to better inform efficient strategies and strengthen regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.
The Conservator-general (CG) of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni represented by Hauwa Mangga National Park Abuja, stated that he hope that the action plan works very well , since the document is already in other African countries.
Goni said “I believe that the action plan will work in Nigeria, this will help in increasing elephants population in Nigeria .
Meanwhile, the Director of State Engagement, Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, Korogone Sinagabe urged the public for support to safeguard, prevent poaching, and to foster an environment where elephants or wildlife and communities will flourish.
Nigeria is one of the relatively few countries in Africa to have both forest elephants and savanna elephants, although both are now much depleted.
An estimated 90% of Nigeria’s elephants are found in a close to existing protected areas and only 10% occur outside of protected areas .
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