The need to preserve pangolin from total extinction in the ecosystem formed the bases of a day lecture organized by a Pangolin Conservation Guild, PCG, Nigeria.
Newsline NG correspondent, who was at the University of Ibadan Zoology lecture theatre reports that the event provided avenue for secondary school students and other key stakeholders to bear their minds on the highly valued animal.
According to report, pangolin is one of special wild life animals characterized by scales, feeding on varieties of insects while also folding itself when under threat.
The animal aside reproducing it's kind through birth, have market value through its sales of its scales that has become transborder trading hub.
The rising demand for their scales, a widely used constituent in traditional Chinese medicines has dramatically increased their exportation in the last decade.
The decline in pangolin population in Asia according to report had made Africa especially Nigeria to face increasing pressure to meet Asia's demand for pangolin scales, and meat leading to several billions of naira generated from the sale of the animal scales.
For instance, in 2021, the Nigeria customs service was said to have intercepted and seized pangolin scales worth 22 billion naira.
Nigeria according to report is party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora prohibiting international commercial trade of wild-caught pangolins and their derivatives.
In addition, Nigeria's wildlife harvest and trade legislation, the Endangered Species Act No 11 of 1985 listed pangolins under Schedule I, prohibiting “the hunting or capture of or trade” in pangolins.
According to report Contravention of the Act by hunting, possessing, or trading in pangolins attracts a fine of NGN5,000,000.
However, despite these regulations and fine Nigeria has been involved in more reported pangolin trafficking incidents than any other African country.
It is against this background that the Chairperson, Pangolin Conservation Guild, PCG, Professor OLAJUMOKE Morenikeji consider it needful to honour the annual pangolin day with lectures and awareness campaign
The 2023 lecture with the theme" community leading pangolin conservation- uniting against the extinction of Pangolin not only provided avenue for Professor Morenikeji to highlight the economic value of pangolin that has triggered global hunt for the animal but the progress made at community level to interrupt harvesting the animal for sales in Nigeria.
Professor Morenikeji who is also former Director of Zoological garden, University of Ibadan, said industrialization, urbanization and reduction in forest reserves had affected pangolin population adding that hunters in the communities have been enlightened to joined the campaign to preserve the animal in the forest.
Some members of the Pangolin Conservation Guild, secondary school students and partner agencies in Nigeria lend their voice on the need to protect the animals in the forest
While emphasizing the importance of the animal in reducing the population of dangerous insects they appealed to government to ensure effective implementation of policies that protect the environment.
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