Dr. Iziak Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, recently disclosed his dedication to elephant conservation by integrating an orphaned elephant into his family, as part of his commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's remaining 300-400 elephants.
He made it known during the official launch of the Nigeria Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) in Abuja, where Salako emphasized the critical importance of protecting the country's diminishing elephant population and conserving biodiversity.
Highlighting the integral role of elephants in the community and heritage, he stressed their significance in supporting flora and fauna growth and maintaining biodiversity.
Nigeria has experienced a drastic decline in its elephant population, losing 99 percent of these animals to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society, has unveiled the NEAP. This strategic 10-year plan (2024-2034) aims to provide a comprehensive framework for elephant conservation.
Andrew Dunn, the WCS Nigeria Country Director, emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria's remaining elephants requires more than just financial resources. He underscored the need for a fundamental shift in attitudes at all levels and a realization by federal and state governments that human welfare and global health are intricately linked to biodiversity loss and climate change.
Echoing these sentiments, John Scanlon AO, the CEO of EPIF, expressed a sense of urgency, describing the situation of Nigeria's elephants as desperate but not without hope. Scanlon emphasized that the NEAP offers a final opportunity to conserve these majestic animals. Key components of the plan include enhanced law enforcement, anti-poaching measures, and the utilization of modern technology for monitoring and intelligence sharing. Community engagement is also prioritized, with the objective of fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.
The launch of NEAP symbolizes a concerted effort to ensure the long-term survival of elephants in Nigeria and represents a crucial step forward in addressing the challenges faced by these endangered species.