Menu

Wild Life Conservation

WISON WILD LIFE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

Communiqué Issued at the End of the 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) Of The Wildlife Society Of Nigeria (WISON))

0

Held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, from 17th to 20Th September 2025

The Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WISON), the leading professional body dedicated to advancing wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable natural resource management, successfully held its 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, between 17th and 20th September 2025.

The conference theme, “Globalisation and Wildlife Trade: Trends and Impacts on Conservation,” provided a timely platform to interrogate the complex interplay between global supply chains, biodiversity decline, community livelihoods, and policy frameworks that shape the future of wildlife conservation.

Conference Proceedings

The AGM attracted a diverse range of stakeholders, including academics, researchers, students, practitioners, conservation NGOs, government agencies, community representatives, and international partners. Over 70 peer-reviewed papers were presented across the 10 subthemes,

Namely:

  1. The Role of Global Supply Chains in the Illegal and Legal Wildlife Trade
  2. Economic Drivers of Wildlife Trafficking in a Globalised World
  3. Impacts of Wildlife Trade on Biodiversity, Wetlands, and Ecosystem Change
  4. Regulatory Frameworks and Enforcement Challenges in Wildlife Conservation

 

Governance

  1. Community-Based Conservation and Local Responses to Global Wildlife Trade
  2. Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Combating Wildlife Crime
  3. Ethical Considerations in the Wildlife Trade: Balancing Conservation and Commerce
  4. Community Engagement, Human–Wildlife Conflicts and Sustainable Utilisation of Wildlife Resources
  5. Wildlife Diseases and Human Health
  6. Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Industry, and Wildlife Trade: Finding a Balance

The technical sessions provided a rich exchange of empirical evidence, practical case studies,and innovative approaches to strengthening wildlife conservation in Nigeria and beyond.

Key Highlights

  1. Recognition and Awards:

  • Six distinguished professionals were awarded the Fellowship of the Wildlife Society of Nigeria (FWISON) for their outstanding contributions to conservation.
  • Three eminent personalities received Honorary Awards for their exceptional support and advocacy for biodiversity protection.

  1. Stakeholder Collaboration:

Strong calls were made for greater collaboration among local communities, researchers, policymakers, enforcement agencies, and international organisations to address the drivers of illegal wildlife trade.

  1. Youth and Grassroots Engagement:

The Society emphasised the role of youths and rural communities in conservation, noting that sustainable progress requires their empowerment and inclusion in decision making processes.

4. AGM Deliberations:

The AGM concluded with the election of new officers to steer the Society’s affairs for the next term, ensuring continuity and renewed leadership.

Resolutions

After extensive deliberations, the Society resolved that all organisations, agencies, NGOs, and Civil Societies with a mandate for conservation and protection of natural resources should do the following:

  1. Tackling Illegal Trade: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms against poaching and transnational trafficking, while addressing corruption that undermines governance.
  2. Community-Centred Conservation: Promote participatory management and benefitsharing schemes that integrate communities as custodians of biodiversity.
  3. Science, Research, and Technology: Enhance investment in wildlife research and adopt cutting-edge technologies (e.g., GIS, drones, environmental DNA, blockchain) to improve monitoring, transparency, and enforcement.
  4. Policy and Institutional Reforms: Urge the government at all levels to harmonise and update conservation laws in line with international best practices.
  5. Wildlife–Human Interface: Develop sustainable strategies for human–wildlife coexistence that minimise conflicts while ensuring resource sustainability.
  6. Health and Zoonoses: Recognise the public health risks of wildlife trade and bushmeat consumption, and integrate wildlife health monitoring into national health systems.
  7. Tourism and Heritage Preservation: Position ecotourism and cultural heritage as vital pathways for sustainable livelihoods and conservation-friendly development.
  8. Capacity Building: Prioritise the training of conservation professionals and grassroots actors to close institutional skill gaps and strengthen local capacity.
  9. Global Partnerships: Enhance Nigeria’s participation in international conservation initiatives to mitigate transnational wildlife crime and biodiversity loss.
  10. Public Awareness: Scale up advocacy, education, and outreach to cultivate a conservation-conscious society.

Conclusion

The 7th AGM of the Wildlife Society of Nigeria reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to championing biodiversity conservation in the context of increasing globalisation and wildlife trade challenges.

The Society expresses profound appreciation to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, for hosting the meeting, and to all participants, sponsors, and partners for their invaluable contributions.

The Wildlife Society of Nigeria calls on the government, civil Society, academia, and international partners to intensify collective action in securing Nigeria’s natural heritage for present and future generations.

Signed:

_____________________________ _________________________

Prof. Jayeola Omotola A Dr. Orimaye Jacob O

National President, WISON National Secretary, WISON

Date:20th September 2025
WISON 

Okpebhelo

NGO urges Okpebholo to protect Ogba Zoo, Forest Reserves and Livelihood

, 0

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the Chairman of the state’s Forestry Commission, Hon. Valentine Owamagbe Asuen, have been called upon to take urgent steps to give adequate protection to the Benin Ogba Zoo and Nature Park (BENZOPA).

They have also been urged to retain the remaining forest reserves of the state, and evolve the capacity to protect and sustain the livelihoods of poor local communities and others, who rely on BENZOPA and the remains of its over-exploited forest reserves.

The renewed call was made by the Okpamakhin Community Initiative (OCI), a frontline Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on nature conservation, through a statement signed by Chief Reuben I. Aizenabor and Comrade Nath Osamede, its directors for Community Relations and Public Affairs, respectively.

OCI’s repeated call, followed the initial one recently made through a letter written to the state governor, with copies addressed to the Environment Minister, Abuja, Hon Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Abuja and Managing Director of its subsidiary Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), with headquarters in Benin City, Edo State.

The organisation prompted the state government to come to the urgent rescue of BENZOPA, by stopping all the threats against it, including encroachment on its land area, violations by the nearby headquarters of the NPDC, recovery of its biodiversity and other priceless features.

The group also pushed on the state government to speed up actions on the Arbitration Agreement, reached between it and Everal Services Limited, BENZOPA’s management firm, in November, 2000, with the intent to ascertain it land area, and solve other problems that hinder effective management of the foremost conservation resource and ecotourism enclave.

OCI also advised Hon Asuen, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, not to succumb to the current moves by the IDH National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate Oil-Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) and other anti-people land-grabbing moves, to establish oil palm trees and other single-crops on the scanty forest land, now left for the surging population of farmers, loggers and other land users, hinting further that it is an invitation to more livelihood losses, acute scarcity of land, food insecurity and intense community crisis.

Okpamakhin Community Initiative stated that the said NISCOPS project, which Mr. Augustine Ninyio, its manager, was said to have introduced to Hon Asuen, has no place in the little land areas left in Edo forest reserves, but that the organisations could go through the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, not the Forestry Commission, to seek for privately owned lands, which the smallholding oil palm project is tailored for.

The organisation, which had carried out protracted global advocacy campaigns against the immediate-past government, with a suit instituted by it at the Regional Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Abuja, and two others pending in European courts, against the state government, stated that the group did not desire to continue open-confrontation with the Governor Okpebho’s administration, which the teeming and aggrieved farmers and other land users, had supported with their block votes, excepting they were pushed into it.

World Wild LifeDay

World Wild Life Day March 3 2025

, , 0

THEME:”Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in people and planet,”

Happy World Wildlife Day, 2025

As we celebrate World Wildlife Day today, it’s a reminder that the state of our planet and its inhabitants are deeply intertwined: thus, our actions and inactions count.

The theme for WWD 2025 is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in people and planet,”

This highlights the urgent need for prioritizing of funding the conservation and sustainability of the planet and its people.

Nature has blessed us with great resources: flora, fauna, air and more with innumerable possibilities and wonders, albeit anthropological interferences are plunging the planet to its limits, threatening sustainability, biodiversity, and more, worldwide.

Today’s celebration focus is set to help people recognize the intrinsic value of nature and the need for its sustainable use for the coming generations.

It also encourages providing support to people to engage/are already engaged in sustainable livelihoods. This act fuels the empowerment of local communities to actively partake in the conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

Its also a call to embrace laws, policies and practices that will dwindle human impact on the planet such us safe plastic use/disposal, chemical emissions in the atmosphere, and more.

All stakeholders and leaders need to commit, make deliberate actions and become accountable for the regulation, preservation and protection of the environmental and sustainable development.

More so, members of the society must also make conscious production and consumption choices that encourages sustainability, conservation and environmental health.

-Adhere to policy changes that prioritize environmental protection and sustainable development

-Offer support to conservation-focused organizations, activities and programs like the zoos, workshops, students to study the technical courses, breeding and rehabilitation, etc.

-Intensify awareness and education for self and others on the significance of investing in people and planet

In conclusion, the task of sustainability does not rest on the shoulder of an individual but it’s a collective mission for all and together, we can build a healthy and safe space for people and planet to thrive.

Join the move today:
Spread the world
Do your quarter

Let’s invest in a sustainable future.
Every Naira counts!!!

Happy World Wildlife Day,
3rd March, 2025.

-Ogba Zoo Media

#WorldWildlifeDay #WWD2025 #InvestInPeopleAndPlanet
#ogbazooandnaturepark

WILD LIFE DAY INFO

World Wild Life Day March 3 2025
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Intro
pic1
wildlife day 2024

Happy World Wildlife Day 2024

, 0

Theme: Connecting People and Planet

Subtheme: Exploring Digital Innovations in Wildlife Conservation.

With the burgeoning increase in human connectivity through digital innovations and technology, the theme for this year’s World Wildlife Day event couldn’t have come at a better time.

The impact of exploring innovations, digital interventions and technology in wildlife conservation, sustainable legal wildlife trade, bonding between humans and nature, community ecosystems and the world at large will enable the acceleration and actualization of wildlife conservation goals and efforts. The ease, possibilities, speed and efficiency that innovations and technology brings when embraced cannot be overemphasized.

As more innovations spring up by the day to foster human connections, digital inventions and technologies can be leveraged to foster bonding between people and the environment, amplify the appreciation of nature, encourage sustainable practices and execute wildlife conservation efforts.


Here are 13 action plans to boost the connection of people and planet and exploration of digital innovations in wildlife conservation


1. Provision of educational programs that highlight the importance of nature, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Raise awareness about environmental issues and the impact of human activities.


2. Promote the integration of green spaces in urban planning. This provides spots for relaxation, exercise, and reconnection with nature.


3. Engage technology-based services and tools in data collection, surveys, monitoring and analysis. This will instill a sense of contribution and understanding of people’s awareness, exposure and attitude towards conservation efforts.


4. Organize nature-based events, workshops, and festivals create opportunities for people to learn, share experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals.

 

5. Develop or promote nature-based applications and technological tools to foster conservation, management, projects, nature exploration and more. For example, creation of apps to enable flora and fauna identifications, hiking trails, and outdoor activities.


6. Organize and promote outdoor activities such as nature walk, viewing birds, camping, and the like.

 

7. Use of artistic images and expressions that amplifies the wonders and existence in nature. A Photography contests, nature-focused art classes, and exhibitions can help people appreciate the beauty of nature.

8. Integration of wildlife conservation education into secondary school curricula. Early exposure of children to nature studies is a booster to a lifelong connection and understanding of the environment.


9. Create and offer volunteer opportunities and programs for environmental and wildlife conservation. Community clean up, tree-planting exercises, and participating in habitat restoration projects to create direct connection and interaction with people and the planet.


10. Organize nature retreats and wellness programs that emphasize the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors. Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation in natural settings contribute to overall well-being.


11. Promotion of modest tourism practices with least impact on the environmental impact.

12. Use of storytelling and narratives that amplifies the splendor, wonders and significance of nature. Storytelling has quick-attention-grabbing impact on people to produce the desired effect. Storytelling can be done through documentaries, books, social media, etc.

13. Establish/support Conservation-focused NGOs, clubs and Organizations as they provide a platform for people to collaborate and partake in conservation initiatives and projects.

– Ogba Zoo Media
Sun, 3 March 2024

NAZAP

NAZAP To Undergo Urgent Professional Development

, , 0

The Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks (NAZAP) is to undergo urgent professional development that will be a catalyst for the transformation of its member facilities. This was made known by the Chairman NAZAP Board of Trustees Prof Olajumoke  Morenikeji, following the resignation of its President, Mr. Oladipo Bali. 
 
In the acceptance of the resignation, the BOT Chairperson thanked the former President for his contributions to the advancement NAZAP. 
 
On his part, another Trustee / Secretary of the NAZAP BOT Mr Andy Osa Ehanire said that there will be a fresh  Accreditation process for all Zoo and Wildlife facilities that will pave the way for the election of new Executives and the reconstitution of the NAZAP Governing Council. 
 
The Chairman had earlier called for increased synergy amongst wildlife stakeholders as recently prescribed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), during the recent World Wildlife Day commemoration. She emphasised that Zoos remain a veritable scheme for wildlife Conservation and thus deserve adequate support from both Government as well as corporate organisations. 
 
She further said that Zoos will continue to make an impact in the growth of tourism in Nigeria. Other Trustees are Alh Ali Yola, Dr. Moses Oyatogun, Mr. Francis Abioye and Mallam Aminu Beli.  

20130222_132323

Checklist of flora in Ogba Zoo, Edo State, Nigeria on GBIF

0

This is an inventory of plants growing in Ogba Zoo, Edo State, Nigeria

Geographic scope

The collection was recorded in Ogba Zoo, Edo state, Nigeria

For more information about the collections please visit this link on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility 

What is the The GBIF? 
The GBIF is the Global Biodiversity Information Facility- an international network and data infrastructure funded by the world’s governments and aimed at providing anyone, anywhere, open access to data about all types of life on Earth. For more information about this organization. Click here

 

elephant

Rampaging Elephants

0

Cameroon Says Elephants Killed 10, Leaving Many Homeless and Hungry

YAOUNDA, CAMEROON – Rampaging elephants have killed at least 10 people, destroyed plantations and left hundreds homeless on Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria. The government of the central African state says people have moved into the elephants’ habitat, sparking conflict.

Scores of villagers watch and shout as over a hundred elephants trample millet farms in the suburbs of Cameroon’s northern town of Kaele. 

Dourougar Mussa, a community leader in Kaele, says the elephants have been destroying farmlands and houses in the area since November.

No one should attack and provoke the elephants to get wilder, Mussa tells 15 male farmers gathered in front of him. He says the lives of humans are more important than the crops and houses destroyed by the elephants.

Jean David Ndjigba, the top wildlife government official in the Far North region of Cameroon where Kaele is found, says the elephants have killed at least 10 people within the past two weeks.  Some died in stampedes.  Others were killed when they charged at the animals to scare them away. 

Officials say the elephants have destroyed more than a hundred hectares of millet farms along the northern border with Nigeria. Hundreds of people have been left homeless or hungry.  

Ndjigba says the elephants are leaving the Kalfou reserve in search of water and food.

He says the number of elephants in the reserve has increased over time, but the habitat of the animals has been reduced, as people take over the land for farms and villages.  

He says the Kalfou reserve which is about 10,000 hectares was home to 50 elephants 20 to 30 years ago. He says today the reserve is now down to 4,000 hectares and is the habitat to over 300 elephants.

Ndjigba adds it is dangerous for villagers to try to kill the animals – and calls for less confrontational methods to scare the elephants from farms and villages.

Villagers should make noise, he says, by shouting and beating drums, dishes and pots with sticks to chase the elephants away instead of struggling to kill the gigantic animals. He says villagers can also burn pepper because elephants hate the smell of the spicy hot powder. He says bee farmers should place their bee hives on the surroundings of villages because elephants run away from bees.

Cameroon is home to an estimated 6,500 elephants, one of the largest populations left in Africa.  Wildlife groups have been urging Cameroonians not to kill the animals, which have been poached extensively across the continent in recent decades and are classified as an endangered species.  

Culled from https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroon-says-elephants-killed-10-leaving-many-homeless-and-hungry?fbclid=IwAR0P90mAgxbHBKsbfEhevyMb6uXXjetMAe9MUhd7BG_36bOO3eore8UbwxY

conservation

Conserve Wildlife

0

“As the world responds to this pandemic, we must be led by the science, and the science is telling us that the destruction of nature and encroachment of humans and industry into natural habitats is making the emergence of new and dangerous viruses ever more likely”

  • Sir David Attenborough, May, 2020

    Excerpt from the Facebook Page Conserve Wildlife for Existence

    https://web.facebook.com/conservewildlifeforexistence.bd.com.we/posts/182426150253994