FG unveils large elephant sculpture fashioned from ivory and tusks of destroyed and trafficked wild animals

 

The federal government has unveiled an elephant sculpture made from pulverized wildlife supplies, marking the completion of the disposal of approximately six tons of confiscated wildlife supplies by the National Environmental Standards And Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

NESREA is the agency designated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to enforce international law on endangered species.

The sculpture, the first of its kind in Nigeria, represents the country’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal wildlife trafficking and its commitment to protecting endangered wildlife species.

Wednesday’s 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.

The combined efforts of NESREA and affiliated agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service have led to the arrest of several suspects between 2011 and 2023. 185 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3,991 kilograms, 11 bags of crocodiles and other listed reptiles, leopard skins and feathers weighing 102 kilograms and 2,500 kilograms of ivory were recovered from these suspects and are in the custody of NESREA.

In October 2023, seized pangolin scales and other animal skins were incinerated by NESREA, followed by the crushing of confiscated ivory in January 2024. Both exercises were carried out with the support of the UK’s Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

Unveiling the statue made from the residue of pulverized confiscated stockpiles, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, officially named it the “Giwa Statue of Renewed Hope”. He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to eradicating wildlife trafficking in Nigeria.

He called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking by providing information, discouraging animal poaching and refusing to use products that are not ethically sourced, stressing that “we need wildlife for our survival, well-being and prosperity as it maintains the ecological balance, maintains the food chain and keeps us connected with nature.”

NESREA Director General, Dr. Innocent Barikor, said: “This elephant sculpture symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to zero tolerance for illegal wildlife trade (IWT) at all levels, and is proof to CITES communities that Nigeria has not relented in fulfilling its obligations towards international environmental conventions and the promotion of ecotourism.”

NESREA is a parastatal agency of the Federal Ministry of Environment mandated to enforce all environmental laws, policies, guidelines, standards and regulations as well as ensure compliance with the provisions of multilateral environmental agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

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