By Rotimi Famakin
As the world commemorates this year’s Wildlife Day, Nigerians have once again been advised to eschew the killing and trading of the pangolin.
A expert in pangolin conservation and protection and former Director, Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, Professor Olajumoke Morenikeji, stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Ibadan.
Professor Morenikeji explained that pangolin is an important wildlife that not only help in reducing the population of dangerous insects in the ecosystem but also aids environmental sustainability.
The chairperson of Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria, PCGN, said due to the economic value of pangolin scales, the animal has become the most endangered wildlife speciea not only in Africa but in Nigeria in particular.
Professor Morenikeji while stressing the need for Nigerians to develop a positive disposition towards the protection of wildlife especially the pangolin, said corporate and media organizations should join in the campaign towards its protection.
Speaking in the same vein, the Southwest Zonal Director, National Environmental Standards and Regulation NESRA, Mr Elija Udofia, said it has now become a law for any individual to kill and trade in animals considered as endangered especially the pangolin.
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