Abdullahi explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a request to the Senate on November 16th, 2022, seeking the Senate’s agreement to the National Park declaration Order, 2022, in compliance with section 18 of the National Park Service Act 2004. The proposed order aimed to establish ten additional national parks based on thorough feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments in twelve selected forests and game reserves located in different states of the federation.

The list of proposed parks includes:

• Alawa National Park in Niger State,
• Apoi National Park in Bayelsa State,
• Edumenun National Park in Bayelsa State,
• Galgore National Park in Kano State,
• Hadejia Wetland National Park in Jigawa State,
• Kempe National Park in Kwara State,
• Kogo National Park in Katsina State,
• Marhi National Park in Nasarawa State,
• Oba Hill National Park in Osun State, and
• Pandam National Park in Plateau State.

According to Abdullahi, the establishment of these additional parks is crucial for the regulation of Nigeria’s unique ecosystem, particularly the fauna and flora ecosystems. “The establishment will address the fast rate of disappearance and degradation of Nigeria’s forest, achieve and develop adequate tourism infrastructure in line with international best practices,” he said. He also emphasized that the creation of these parks would help protect and preserve Nigeria’s biodiversity and natural heritage.

The approval of 10 new national parks in Nigeria is a significant development that will play a vital role in protecting the country’s unique ecosystem and natural heritage. With the fast rate of disappearance and degradation of Nigeria’s forests, these parks will serve as a vital tool in regulating the use of the country’s flora and fauna ecosystems.

The establishment of these parks will also provide an opportunity for the development of adequate tourism infrastructure in line with international best practices, potentially boosting the country’s tourism industry.

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Photo: Francesco Ungaro

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Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: logging, poaching, overexploitation and deforestation linked with forest to farm conversion. Changes like these have triggered habitat loss, climate change, soil erosion and landslides. Animal species are disappearing at such unprecedented rate that scientists have labelled the current era ‘Earth’s sixth mass extinction’. In south west Cameroon, one of the most diverse areas in Africa, we are witnessing dramatic population declines and local extinctions of charismatic animals such as Cross River gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants.

To preserve biodiversity in south west Cameroon we need methods effective in monitoring animal population status, thus allowing the development of conservation strategies. This is particularly urgent during this period of multiple crises, such as the corona crisis and Anglophone crisis. Since 2017, there is a conflict in the south west regions of Cameroon, part of the long-standing Anglophone problem.

Instead of researchers setting out camera-traps in the rainforest, local Community Rangers are being trained and employed to carry out activities. 30 Community Rangers from several villages have been equipped with camera-traps and GPS units. The Community Rangers have been selected by the Forest Village Committees themselves.

Training sessions were organised by the African Conservation Foundation and its local partner Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF). Team members explained camtrap research and handling procedures. The basic camera trap anatomy was explained and each participant was getting familiar with battery and memory card placement. The training included a presentation on the objectives of camera trapping, choosing a suitable location for the camera trap, camera trap set-up, camera location, camera spacing in the field, camera trap height, distance of camera trap to animal trail, vegetation clearing around camera trap.

Also, research procedures, the monitoring intervals and checking camera‐traps and data exchange were explained. The training included the hands-on testing and demonstrating the new knowledge in the field.

Each image captures a moment frozen in time as the animals move through their wild habitat. We are using the camera trap data to collect information about population status and to address conservation issues, creating solutions that allow humans and wild animals to coexist in the same areas.

The programme has captured some incredible wildlife so far, including Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees, red river hogs, squirrels and small antelopes. Red river hogs are a wild member of the pig family living in Africa, with most of its distribution in the Guinean and Congolian rainforests. The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is recognised as the most threatened and least distributed of all the chimpanzee subspecies, and without successful conservation actions, there is a high risk of extinction in the coming decades.

The elusive and critically endangered Cross River gorillas share the same habitat as the chimpanzees. Currently only 2050-300 individuals survive in subpopulations across the Nigerian and Cameroonian border region. They inhabit inaccessible areas such as the steep slopes of the Lebialem highlands.

By maintaining a presence in wildlife conservation through Community Rangers, it was possible to continue monitoring wildlife populations and rainforest habitat, with some challenges and delays as the situation allowed. The projects partners currently work across all the areas they worked in prior to the Anglophone crisis, which also allows us to assist displaced people.

Our Community Camera Trapping activities have been highly successful, directly engaging and training Community Rangers in wildlife monitoring in protected areas and Community Forests, while connecting conservation efforts with community development goals. The programme supports self-governance and local capacity building. With your help, we will be able to expand this programme to other communities and protected areas in west central Africa. Donate now or visit our project website for more information.

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