The federal government has launched a 10-year national action plan to protect endangered elephants in the country.

A statement by Ibrahim Goni, the National Park Service (NPS) conservator-general, said the plan was launched in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative.

Goni noted that the action plan will last from 2024 to 2034, adding that the service also inaugurated other conservation initiatives to protect other endangered species.

He added that 25 African Grey Parrots have been rescued from wildlife traders and released into the forests in Cross River.

Goni said the initiatives had led to 621 arrests, with 466 prosecutions and 94 warnings, highlighting the service’s dedication to the fight against wildlife crime.

He added that the service has also enhanced its anti-poaching monitoring through the deployment of high-technology equipment like drones, power chutes, and GSM technology.

Goni thanked partners, noting that they have facilitated donations from organisations such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to the service.

“We also have donations from Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA) and ACReSAL, supporting the service with essential equipment, training, and funding,” he added.

“Furthermore, 30 forest guards from the federal capital territory forestry department were trained in forest resources conservation and protection by the service.’’

He added that despite the achievements, the service also faced some security challenges, including banditry and terrorism in the course of discharging its duties.

[TheCable]