Elephant sculpture symbolic milestone in fight against wildlife trafficking – FG
The Federal Government has unveiled the sculpture of an elephant crafted from pulverised wildlife stockpile, signalling a climax of the disposal of about six tons of confiscated wildlife stockpiles in the custody of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
The sculpture, the first of its kind in Nigeria, represents the country’s zero-tolerance stance against wildlife trafficking and its dedication to protecting endangered species of wild fauna and flora. This event marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a major threat to the country’s biodiversity and global conservation efforts.
Between 2011 and 2023, concerted efforts by NESREA and sister agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service led to the arrest of several suspects. Confiscated items included 185 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3,991 kg, 11 bags of crocodiles and other listed reptiles, leopard skins and feathers weighing 102 kg and 2,500 kg of ivory, all kept in the custody of NESREA.
“Concerted efforts by NESREA and sister Agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service led to the arrest of several suspects between 2011 and 2023. 185 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3991 Kg, 11 bags of crocodiles and other listed reptiles, leopard skins and feathers weighing 102Kg and 2500Kg of ivory were recovered from these suspects and kept in the custody of NESREA.
In October 2023, the seized pangolin scales and other animal skins were incinerated by NESREA and this was followed by the crushing of the confiscated ivory in January 2024. Both exercise were carried out with the support of Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) of United Kingdom and the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, officially christened it the ‘Giwa Statue of Renewed Hope’, He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to eradicate wildlife trafficking in Nigeria.
He called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking by providing intelligence, discouraging animal poaching and refusing to use products that are not ethically sourced, stressing,
“We need wildlife for our survival, well being and prosperity as they maintain ecological balance, maintains the food chain and they keep us connected to nature”.
Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said, “This Elephant sculpture symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to zero tolerance to Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) at all levels, and a proof to CITES communities that Nigeria has not relented in carrying out its obligations to the international environmental conventions and promotion of eco-tourism.”
NESREA is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Environment charged with the mandate to enforce all environmental laws, policies, guidelines, standards and regulations as well as to enforce compliance with the provisions of multilateral environmental Agreements, Protocols, Conventions and Treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
