CONSERVATIONS NIGERIA

Author: Ebere Idiaye

  • World Ozone Day 2022

    World Ozone Day 2022

    The World Ozone Day is held every year on the 16th of September and was again commemorate this year with the theme: “Global Cooperation to Protect Life on Earth.”

    The theme of this year’s event was announced by the United Nations and it underscores the measures that must be put in place for the preservation of life on earth.

    The Ozone Day which is celebrated every year on a global scale on the 16th of September, is geared towards prompting talks and widespread awareness on the depletion of the ozone layer.

    The ozone is a layer in the earth’s atmosphere which forms a protective shield that absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiations that reaches the earth from the sun. Therefore, every year the United Nations announce a theme for the celebration which focuses on the prompt action that must be taken by the people and the government to protect the ozone layer.

    The History

    The observance of the World Ozone Day began in 1995, when it was initiated to raise awareness about the importance of the Ozone Layer to our environment.
    The discovery about the impact human activities were making on the ozone layer was made by scientists in the 1970s and they made their apprehensions known.

    As a result of that, various governments across the globe embraced the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer and resolved to save it.

    The World Ozone Day held on 16th September focuses on remembering this accomplishment and to demonstrate that the collective decision taken is the answer to this major global problem.

    World Ozone Day and the Montreal Protocol

    The World Ozone Day of 2022 was observed to Mark the signing of the Montreal Protocol which is an international treaty that is designed to protect the ozone layer by eliminating the production of the numerous substances depleting the ozone layer.

    The Montreal Protocol was agreed upon on September 16, 1987, and it went into effect on January 1, 1989. Ever since, the Montreal Protocol has been revised 9 times which include: 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998 (Australia), 1999 (Beijing), and 2016 (Kigali)

  • Steps to reverse the impact of climate change enumerated by a renowned environmentalist

    Steps to reverse the impact of climate change enumerated by a renowned environmentalist

    Dr. Bassey

    On Thursday, 10th of September, while speaking at a virtual forum entitled “Conservations with Nature” Dr Nnimmo Bassey an environmentalist said that the adverse effects of climate change which includes floods, rising temperatures and drought, are as a result of the abuse of the rights of nature. He described climate change as nature’s way of reacting to human activities that distort it’s dynamics and balance.

    The Executive Durector, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Dr. Bassey further attributed the current climate crisis to the dependence on fossil fuels.

    He stated that several years of destructive human activities in the extractive industry has been resiliently endured by nature.

    The industry in it’s quest for fossil fuel constantly emit green house gasses that harm the ecosystem.

    The conversation was cohosted by Dr. Bassey who holds a national honour of Member of Order of Federal Republic for Environmental Activism and Mfonsio Antia, Lead, Ikike Desk, the learning organ of HOMEF

    The environmentalist adviced that diversifying the energy sources and shifting away from fossils hold the key to solving the problems of global warming, distorted global ecology, and so on.

    Dr. Bassey further enunciated on the subject saying:
    “The world has carried on as if there is just one source of energy. Beyond fossils, there are so many sources of energy that do not destroy natural resources and they are renewables”

    “To get out the climate crisis starring the world in the face, we need to switch to renewable energy sources and stop ecologically destructive activities”

    “We need to go back to ‘Eti Uwem’ which stands for the good life in Ibibio language. It encompass communal and cooperative living as opposed to individualism” he added

    “From recent developments and lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic, we have to come to realise that we are all interconnected and hence the need to reverse the extractive paradigms that destroy natural biodiversity” he explained.

    World leaders were exhorted by the environmentalist to end gas flaring so as to put an end to the emission of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

    The forum, an initiative of HOMEF’s school of Ecology, drew participants from the group’s volunteers in all states of the federation and outside the country.

  • Five fun facts about lions you need to know

    Five fun facts about lions you need to know

    In the commemoration of the World’s Lion day which took place on the 10th of August, we bring you these exciting facts to celebrate “the King of the jungle”.

    The lion which is also known by it’s scientific name Panthrea Leo, is one of the most famous wild animals familiar to mankind. The strong, fearsome animal has it’s habitat essentially in Africa and India.

    It’s physical features include a muscular, broad-chested body with a short rounded head, round ears and a hairy tuft at the end of it’s tail.
    The male lions are differentiated from their female counterparts by their full and prominent mane among other characteristics of the lion which will be enumerated below.

    1)  Lions are hardy and adaptable animals and are thereby capable of living in dry regions such as the kalahari Desert. Here the lions depend on plants such as the Tsamma melon as a water source. They also survive on smaller preys like the porcupines more often than those living in lush environments.

    The tan golden skin colour of the feline also aids its adaptability because that makes it possible for the animal to hide between tall grasses in the wild while stalking its prey. Added to that, the hue of the lion’s furry coat makes it possible for it to conceal itself from its enemies as it blends perfectly with the blades of grass around it.

    2)  The impressive looking mane wrapped cozily around a lion’s neck and chest is grown only by the male lions and this begins as early as three years of age. However, the manes serves more vital purposes than just aesthetics. They grow as long as 16cm and gives the lion a bigger and more imposing look than it normally has.

    Added to that, as the lions grow older, the mane gets thicker and darker which are indicators of a strong and healthy male. Also the illusion of size the lion acquires courtesy of the mane makes it more attractive to the females and helps in scaring off potential rivals.

    The mane is also an important armour which protects the lion’s neck and head in battles and while hunting.

    Research has indicted that the thickness and size if the mane is influenced by environmental factors and not necessarily genetics. For instance local temperature can influence the growth of the mane.

    Lions living in colder temperatures are likely to grow fuller and more attractive manes. On the other hand, lions living in hot climates have adapted to growing scanty manes or no manes at all for that matter.

    3)  Another fun fact about lions is their appetite. Lions are known to be carnivorous in nature that is, they only eat meat. They consume land animals such as zebras, antelopes, buffaloes etc. Large animals like elephants and giraffes also make it to the menu especially when they are injured or sick.

    On occasion lions feed on leftovers or steal from other predators such as the hyena, wild dogs or leopards.

    Lions are such voracious eaters that they can eat up to a quarter of their body weight in a single meal, which amounts to about 40kg of meat.

    4)  What is the life span of lions? Lions are known to live between 8-25 years. In the wild they survive for 8-10 years unlike those in captivity who live for up to 25 years.

    The life expectancy of lions in the wild is shortened by the fact that young male lions are often kicked out of the pride at tender ages. Additionally, there are regular fights to defend the lion’s position in the pride which may result in death.

    The females nevertheless have a better chance at a longer lifespan than the males

    Adult males lions are also known to commit infanticide when they overthrow a new pride. They kill off all the cubs to begin a new family carrying only his genes.

    5)  Now let’s talk about the hair-raising roar of the lion.

    The roar of the lion is a means of communicating with other members of the pride, in addition to send a warning message to other lions outside the pride that the territory is already occupied.

    The roar of the lion is measured at 114 decibels which occurs at a level twice higher than the amount of safe hearing for humans and can be heard from 8km (5miles) away.

    The roar is also estimated to be 25 times louder than a petrol powered lawnmower.

    These are just a few among the numerous fun facts to be learned about the majestic feline. It behoves on us all to come together to protect the lion and other animals that are susceptible to human attacks by refusing to hunt them down and desist from activities that contribute to the loss of their habitats .

  • Threats to the continued existence of the African Manatee on the rise

    Threats to the continued existence of the African Manatee on the rise

    In recent years, there has been an increased threat to the existence of the African Manatee owing to the surge of hardship and abject poverty among rural dwellers who are dependent on the wetlands.

    The attention of the Biodiversity Preservation Centre was brought to the hunting and killing of a Manatee by the residents of Ntan Oboe Community of the Itu wetlands. However their presence at the scene was met with great hostility by the members of the community while they tried to take tissue samples from the dead animal.

    The Biodiversity Preservation Centre has called on the government to provide a different means of ekeing out a living for the rural dwellers as this will give the BPC the moral justification to enforce the law against offenders and has also in strong terms decried the random killings of these mammals.

    A request has also been extended to members of the public to join in educating communities both far and wide in the need to become guardians of our planet earth as this will ensure a great future for posterity.

  • Nigeria’s conservation centre in Uyo provides a new home to rescued turtles

    Nigeria’s conservation centre in Uyo provides a new home to rescued turtles

    No less than 40 turtles, some of whom have been wounded and distressed, have so far been rescued by various individuals and brought to the Conservation centre.

    A pair of turtles were last month found and saved in Akwa Ibom, a state in Nigeria’s South-south region well known to be a fertile ground for the peddling of wildlife for food and have since been taken to a conservation centre in Uyo.

    Pilot Enim Akwa, happened to be the rescuer of these two turtles when he bought them off a roadside trader looking for buyers. Thereby protecting the animals from becoming pieces of meat in a family’s cooking pot.

    These animals are considered to be a delicacy in Nigeria and have thus earned a special designation as “bushmeat”.
    Unsurprisingly, according to the research conducted in 2020 by Wildaid, an organisation combating the global consumption of wildlife, more than half of Nigeria’s population, precisely over 70% have feasted on wildlife at some point or the other.

    The Biodiversity Preservation Centre welcomed the rescued turtles as Mr Akwa handed them over to Edem Eniang, a professor of wildlife and the head of the centre in the company of his wife.

    Commenting on her husband’s commitment to the conservation of wildlife, Mrs Enwongo said in a Facebook post: ” I truly admire Enim, and the way he is firmly rooted where wildlife and the environment is concerned. He walks the talk, truly.” She also added that he had a similar “turtle rescue mission” nearly two years ago.

    The turtles brought in are evaluated for any signs of trauma and helped to get healed before they are released into the wild.

    The swamps around the Atlantic Ocean is the hunting ground where the indigenes go to hunt for the turtles.
    However many others are brought into Akwa Ibom from nearby Cross River State where there are more stringent rules that attract punitive actions from the rangers at the National Park against anyone nabbed engaging in wildlife trade.

    According to Mr Eniang, the spot along the highway where Mr Akwa bought the turtles is known as a turtle trade point in Akwa Ibom.
    “Most times one passes there you’ll see them hanging them upside-down for sale” he observes. “So Inim (Akwa) is in the habit of, if he sees them when he is coming back from work, he will take them from those people and bring them for rehabilitation and release into the forest.
    “I’m really amazed at his interest in the Preservation of that species.” He added

    The specie of turtles rescued by Mr Akwa are an endangered specie known as the terrapin often found in fresh water and for a certain should not be hunted, eaten, or traded according to the professor.

    “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade on Species. CITES is domiciled in Nigeria at the Federal Ministry of Environment. ” Mr Eniang said.

    “Number two, the Convention of Biological Diversity which Nigeria is also signatory forbids us from trading in them.

    “But most importantly, the Nigeria Endangered Species Act also forbids, likewise the National Park Act of Nigeria, the trade on this Species.”

    Giving an insight into why he loves conservation, Mr Akwa revealed that it was inculcated into him by his father who always stressed the need to take care of nature. Thus by the time he got into secondary school he joined a conservation organisations which helped to hieghtened his knowledge and passion for conservation.

    It is however a huge challenge to stop this practice of wildlife trade as the people who engage in it both in Akwa Ibom and in other parts of the country do not understand the value of conservation.
    Mr Eniang hit the nail on the head as to what is truly informing this relentless practice of wildlife trade when he asked the pertinent  question: ” But how can you plant conservation etiquette in a mind that is hungry?” And added: “There is so much hunger in the land, there’s so much challenge for survival. So nobody will listen to you except you give them an alternative. We need to build that into the conservation plan.”

    “Funny enough, on my way back again today I saw one turtle again. I paid for it. I will take it to the professor. Today’s own, they wanted me to pay N5,000 but I ended up paying N3,000 for it.” Mr Akwa explained

  • Could Migaloo the rare world-famous humpback whale be dead?

    Could Migaloo the rare world-famous humpback whale be dead?

    On Saturday morning, the carcass of a white albino humpback whale suspected to be the world’s most famous humpback whale named Migaloo was found ashore the Mallacoota beach in Eastern Victoria, Australia.

    Peter Coles a resident of the island was out fishing when he saw the dead animal. Commenting on the incident he said: ” it was beautiful even though it was dead. It was pretty spectacular. It was pure white and marble looking. I thought it looked like a sculpture, it almost didn’t look real. I paced it out and it was 10m long. I didn’t touch it and it was a bit smelly. There weren’t any signs of decomposition but it did look very, very dead.”

    Concerns abound in the hearts of many that this could actually be Migaloo – the snow – white whale who had often been sighted off the coast of Australia as far back as 1991 and became somewhat famous.

    Mr Cole went further to express feelings of sadness over the demise of the outstanding creature. ” I felt sad for the poor creature not knowing it might be Migaloo” he said

    Migaloo who was possibly born in 1986 has been missing for the past two years after losing his tracking chip.

    While making further remarks on his discovery, Mr Peter mentioned that it was later that he found out about the scarce whale adding:  “when talk came about, I realised it could be something quite rare if it is the white whale. It would mean I witnessed something incredible without knowing it at the time.”

    According to deep-sea specialists, the location of the white whale tallies with Migaloo’s migration pattern. Therefore with the aid of photos and genetic sampling, scientists are at the moment working hard to ascertain the identify of this particularwhale, perhaps it could be Migaloo.

    Migaloo is presumed to be about 15m long and about 40-tonnes in weight. Therefore, owing to it’s size, Mr Cole and others alike doubt whether the creature is actually Migaloo. He said “I think people are quite hesitant to call it Migaloo as many thought the whale would have been bigger”

    Dr Vanessa, a Wildlife scientist and a part of the group looking into the incident tweeted: “Currently working with other scientists to identify this individual. This may or may not be #Migaloo. Nothing confirmed yet. #watchthisspace.”

    Warnings have been made by the Victoria’s environment department (DELWP Victoria) that people should not touch or interfere with the dead whale as significant penalties will be meted out on anyone trying to take unapproved samples such like teeth as a souvenir.

    Migaloo which means “white fellow” was first captured on video in 2010 12 miles from the Green Island near the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland. He is the only known all-white humpback whale in the world.
    Humpback whales are estimated to live for about 40-50 years which will make Migaloo about 36years old at the moment, which adds to the probability of this white whale not being Migaloo.

  • Why UK may ban hybrid cats as social media fuels its popularity

    Why UK may ban hybrid cats as social media fuels its popularity

    The government of the United Kingdom is likely to place a ban on the part-wild hybrid cats as social media hypes grants the extreme breeds popularity.

    The unusual features of these cross-breed cats which include: huge size, strong muscles and spotted fur has made them to be seen by people in this social media era as the ideal pet. However the increase in it’s trade raises concerns over animal welfare and the wildlife black market.

    Government sources have revealed that they planned to review the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

    UK legislation at the moment does not regulate the mix-breeding of exotic felines with domestic cats. A source therefore said “During this review we will consider whether there is a need to introduce licensing arrangements for cat breeders including restrictions on the breeding of certain types of cats.”

    The campaigns against these hybrid cats bothers on the argument that their part-wild nature makes them unsuitable for most pet owners because of their complex needs, and also a high demand for the rare felids in the wild will see some breeders resorting to illegal wildlife trade to find wildcats to breed from.

    The cross between the African serval and the domestic cat called Savannah cats has gained popularity on social media as a result of their unusual look. Stryker, which is one of such cats has more than 800,000 followers on Instagram. While the luxury cattery promoting the breed has 44,000 followers.

    Since 2001 when the savannah cat breed was recognised, there has been a surge in it’s popularity as trophy pet. The “F1 hybrids”- a cat with a serval as a parent- fetching up to £20,000 per kitten.

    A research conducted by the Wildheart Trust revealed that there are 259 small and medium exotic cats registered in the UK. A great number of these cats are used for producing these feline amalgam.

    “Urgent legislative action to make this form of hybridisation illegal will prevent the suffering of individual animals caught up in this trade and mitigate against future threats to wild populations of exotic felids. The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has over 40 years of experience caring for exotic felids. We see first-hand the physical and psychological damage inflicted on animals at the hands of humans ” said a spokesperson for the charity

    A breed called Bengals were created by breeding domestic animals with Asian leopard. While the breed is established, most are bred with each other rather than wildcats. Due to the high energy characteristics that are too much for their owners to handle, many of them are dumped at Animal rescue centers.
    Bengals that have a wildcat as it’s parent or grandparent could be subject to a ban, however, many of the breed are now so interbred that wildcats are far back in their lineage are likely to still be allowed according to experts.

    Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has declared it’s support of the ban on breeding hybrid cats according to its spokesperson who said: ” In recent years demand has grown for designer hybrid cats such as savannahs cats, a cross between a domestic cat and an African serval. Unsurprisingly these cats are not suitable for domestic home environment, due to their wild cat DNA, their size, and their very strong predatory instincts.” He added: “We have seen so many examples of animals being bred for their looks rather than welfare, causing numerous welfare issues. It’s vital that we clampdown on this practice and stop further animals suffering at the hands of indiscriminate breeders.”

    The RSPCA has joined in calling for a crackdown on the breeding of these cats stating the fact that it involves a demand for dangerous wild animals and the implication of that on the safety of both humans and animals as its reason.

    The scientific officer of RSPCA Evie Button said: ” We have concerns about the breeding, trade and keeping of wild – or ‘exotic’ – animals kept as pets, including those classified as dangerous wild animals, such as servals. We believe that animals should only be kept in captivity if good welfare can be assured and this can be challenging.
    Exotic pets are wild, non-domesticated animals kept in captivity and so their needs are essentially no different to the same species living in the wild. Some species- like servals- are unsuitable to be kept as pets because their needs are too complex to be met in a household environment”

    Lastly she said that the charity was pushing for a wider review into the keeping of exotic animals as pets.

  • Duke of Cambridge, Prince William travels to the UAE to promote the UK and sustainable world.

    Duke of Cambridge, Prince William travels to the UAE to promote the UK and sustainable world.

     

    The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William arrived on Wednesday in the UAE. Dubai to be precise on his first major overseas tour since 2019.

    His itinerary will include:

    -Joining in events showcasing British talents at the Dubai Expo 2020
    – Visiting the event on Thursday for UK National Day.
    – Taking part in the Queen’s baton relay for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which is passing through the event on the way to visit Commonwealth nations.

    The Prince who arrived on a commercial flight tweeted his comment saying: “Excited to be arriving in Dubai to celebrate the UK at Dubai Expo and discuss the vital issue of working together with the UAE and international partners to achieve a more sustainable world with earthshotprize and united for wildlife. W”

    The event which was initially scheduled to take place in 2020 was postponed to October 2021 due to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic.

    The Dubai government has so far spent approximately $7bn or £5.2bn on the event in which about 190 countries will be showcasing their cultures and innovations.

    A spike in tourism and investment is anticipated as nearly 25million visitors are expected to grace the event.

    Nonetheless, there has been criticism of the event because of the UAE’s human rights record.
    The European Parliament last year went further to urge member states not to participate in the Expo and companies to withdraw their sponsorship.

    A resolution against the emirate cited what it described as the “systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and teachers speaking up on political and human rights issues in the UAE”, as well as the country’s “inhumane practices against foreign workers” who constitute 80% of the population.

    The UAE foreign ministry however rejected the resolution, stating that the allegations it contained were “factually incorrect”. Insisting that the country’s laws provided for the fair treatment of all citizens and residents.

    Britain on the other hand is a strong ally of the oil producing nation which consists of seven gulf states that were formerly part of the British Empire.

    During his visit, the Prince will learn more about Initiatives protecting wildlife in the region. He will also get the opportunity to promote his Earthshot Prize which is an environmental award and his United for Wildlife initiative aimed at tackling illegal wildlife trade.

     

  • Fourth Land Accelerator Africa opens for application

    Fourth Land Accelerator Africa opens for application

    The World Resources Institute (WRI) in partnership with AFR100 and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), is announcing that the application for the fourth Land Accelerator Africa opens through March 31, 2022.

    The Land Accelerator is the world’s first training and mentorship program which is tailored towards the needs of businesses that restore degraded forests, farmland, and pasture.

    The announcement was made in a statement posted online Wednesday. 

    Signed by Land Accelerator Africa Manager, World Resources Institute, Samuel Kabiru and Communications and Advocacy Officer, Teko Nhlapo, the statement emphasised that this year’s edition encourages women-led and youth-led companies to apply. 

    Applications from all African Union member countries are welcome, the statement said. 

    Land Accelerator lends its support to the AFR100 in its goal to restore 100 million hectares of Land by 2023 by providing Land-restorating entrepreneurs all over Africa with avenues for mentorship and networking, technical training, and workshops to build their storytelling and pitching skills, the statement announced further.

    At the close of the program participants are well equipped to connect with potential investors in order to take their businesses to the next phase of development. The program has attracted approximately 2,000 applicants across Africa.  So far 11,200 jobs have been created by the 110 alumni from 34 countries, they’ve worked with 56,000 farmers and have restored 127,000 hectares of land. 

    For the 2022 edition, an exciting approach is being adopted which includes:

    – Encouragement of all participants to attend an informal session on                                    Feb 22 for this year’s application process, focused on gender equity.

    – From among the applicants, the team will select 100 of Africa’s top restoration entrepreneurs, all of whom will benefit from the extensive online training and networking over three months. 

    – A panel of experts will then select the Top 15, who will benefit from one-on-one technical support and pitch their business to a room full of investors during an Impact Day in October 2022.

     

  • World’s oldest male gorilla, Ozzie, dies at 61 at Zoo Atlanta

    World’s oldest male gorilla, Ozzie, dies at 61 at Zoo Atlanta

    Ozzie, a western lowland silverback was found dead by his care team on Tuesday morning, the zoo reported in a news release. He was 61.

    While the cause of death isn’t known, Ozzie had been treated for facial swelling, weakness and an inability to eat or drink over the last 24 hours before his death the zoo said.

    Ozzie was one among the 13 gorillas of Zoo Atlanta who tested positive for Covid 19 last year. The officials of the zoo believe that the apes contracted the disease from a zoo worker who was fully vaccinated and was wearing protective equipment. The worker was also said to be asymptomatic.

    The results of the ape’s necropsy which is being carried out by University of Georgia veterinary college will be release upon its completion.

    “This a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta, while we knew this day would come someday, that inevitability does nothing to stem the deep sadness we feel at losing a legend.” park CEO Raymond King commented.

    The oldest living gorilla is Fatou, who turned 64 last year at the Berlin zoo, while Helen turned 63 on January 1st at the Louisville zoo. Making Ozzie the third oldest gorilla in the world.

    Ozzie was brought to Zoo Atlanta in 1988. He fathered 12 gorillas, enjoyed oranges and cabbage and hated loud music.

    The western lowland gorilla inhabits the rainforest of Central Africa, it’s one of four subspecies of the Great ape. Unfortunately, according to the World Wildlife Fund, a conservation group, poaching and diseases have shrunk it’s population by 60 percent, putting the animals in the critically endangered species category.