By Our Correspondent
Lagos, Feb. 15, ’25 (TNZ) Wild Africa has urged for the protection of pangolins from extinction and increased support for legislative efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
TheNewsZenith reports that Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa’s Nigeria Representative, made the call in a statement, on Saturday, in Lagos.
Iyorah emphasised the urgent need to safeguard pangolins, which are protected under both national and international laws. This included a 2016 ban on their commercial trade.
He noted that the high demand for pangolin scales – particularly for use in traditional medicine in Asia – and their meat as a delicacy is driving the species toward extinction.
“Nigeria has become a major global export hub for pangolin scales. Nigeria accounts for 55 per cent of global pangolin scale seizures between 2016 and 2019,” TheNewsZenith quotes Iyorah as stating.
Wild Africa’s West Africa Spokesperson, Dr Mark Ofua, underscored the importance of reversing this extinction trend.
“It is not too late to change the narrative and reposition Nigeria from being a trafficking hub to a leading protector of pangolins. This is a shared responsibility.
“No action is too small, whether it’s discouraging the illegal bushmeat trade or supporting stronger wildlife protection laws.”
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Raising Awareness and Strengthening Legislation
To increase awareness, TheNewsZenith reports that Wild Africa is leveraging media campaigns across radio, television, billboards and public service announcements.
The initiative features prominent Nigerian brand ambassadors like 2Baba, Emmanuella and Ali Baba to educate the public on pangolin conservation and their vital role in the ecosystem.
Nigeria has also made significant strides in addressing the illegal pangolin trade through new legislative measures.
In early 2024, the country introduced the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which recently passed its second reading.
If enacted, the law will impose stricter penalties for wildlife trafficking, including the illegal trade of pangolin scales.
TheNewsZenith recalls that in December 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) arrested a suspected pangolin scale trafficker and confiscated 2.179 tonnes of pangolin scales. (TNZ)
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