…US deeply committed to wildlife preservation, fighting illegal trafficking, says Vice Consul
…PCGN holds World Pangolin Day in Ibadan
The Vice Consul, the United States {U.S.} Consulate General, Lagos, Christina Connelly-Kanmaz; the Director-General of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria {FRIN},Ibadan, Prof. Zachariah Buba Yaduma and the Chair, Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria {PCGN}, Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji, have called for proper conservation of animals, especially pangolins, saying extinction of such animals portends grave danger to the ecosystem and human existence.
They made the call during the World Pangolin Day 2024, which was held at the Zoology Lecture Theatre and Pangolin Conservation and Research Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The programme had the theme: ‘Unity for the Conservation of Pangolins: Working to Keep Pangolins in the Wild’.
The event attracted many stakeholders in the environmental conservation, security and educational sectors, including law enforcement agents, scholars, non-governmental organizations, students and others.
Before the day, the PCGN had held an awareness-creation rally at an Ibadan wildlife market and had community trainings on the importance of pangolin conservation.
The US Vice Consul , who spoke virtually, said illegal wildlife trafficking posed significant threats to pangolins, stressing that the United States through its various agencies and partnerships in Nigeria was deeply committed to wildlife conservation and the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Connelly-Kanmaz said: ‘’This year’s theme speaks volumes about the urgency and collective efforts required to protect this creature from the brink of extinction. Pangolins are not just an integral part of our biodiversity but also a testament to our ecosystem’s intricate balance. The United States through its various agencies and partnerships in Nigeria is deeply committed to wildlife conservation and the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking which pose significant threats to pangolins.
‘’Our collaboration with Nigerian authorities, conservation groups and educational institutions like University of Ibadan is pivotal in this endeavour’’.
The diplomat lauded Prof. Morenikeji for her dedication to wildlife conservation.
Morenikeji, who is a professor at the Zoology Department of the premier university, emphasised that pangolins were very crucial to the environment, saying the animals must, therefore, be prevented from going into extinction.
Morenikeji said: ‘’We are into pangolin conservation. We want the world to protect this little animal from extinction. We are celebrating the pangolin on World Pangolin Day to bring to fore the importance of wildlife conservation. The pangolins are the most illegally traded mammals in the world. There are reports of huge numbers of pangolin scales, translating to the killing of thousands of pangolins, being taken away from Nigeria. Pangolins will go extinct if care is not taken. Pangolins can only be found on two continents – Asia and Africa. Now, most of the species in Asia are critically endangered, and the focus is on Africa to provide for the insatiable thirst for pangolins by the Asian countries.
‘’Pangolins are so important, critical, and crucial to the ecosystem and environment. One pangolin is estimated to consume about 70 million insects in one year. Those insects include crop pests and those that bring down buildings like termites. Pangolin activities on the soil helps to aerate the soil thus helping the plants to grow better. When pangolins dig a burrow, they leave places for other animals to inhabit. Our business is to make sure that the animals do not go into extinction’’.
Morenikeji said protection of pangolins and other animals as well as trees was for the benefit of human beings.
The professor said: ‘’What we are doing is also for our own benefit, because there is no way human beings will exist on earth if they remove all the trees, animals and everything around them; we will not last long before we all go extinct as well’’.
She therefore reiterated the determination of the Guild to keep on educating the populace and creating awareness of pangolin and wildlife conservation to safeguard the environment.
On his part, the FRIN Director-General, Buba Yaduma, said if pangolins do not survive, food security and survival of human beings would be a mirage.
The DG, who was represented by Prof. Kehinde Abiodun Solomon of the institution, said the programme was apt as it focused on protection, conservation as well as preservation of the environment and wildlife, especially pangolins.
The DG said: ‘’At the FRIN, we ensure the continued existence of wildlife species. Man detests chemical control; so, wildlife and pangolins are a means of ensuring biological conservation. Pests are rampant, and destructive to crops. It is the work of pangolins to eliminate the destructive work of pests and diseases. Pangolins eat a lot of insects and, in a way, protect the crops. That means if pangolins don’t survive, the issue of food security will be a mirage. Therefore, pangolins must be protected.
‘’Our people are being educated on the need to ensure that pangolins survive. Generally, we are advocating that animals must be protected in their natural environment’’.
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