Conservator Wants Funds To Replace Animals At Parks

A wildlife Conservator has appealed to the Federal and State governments to adequately fund wildlife conservation, to aid the replacement of some animals that were going into extinction.
Mr Yakubu Kolo, Conservator, Kanji Lake National Park, Nibosa in Niger, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen yesterday the  in Lagos.
Kolo said animals like elephants were fast disappearing from the parks.
According to him, inadequate funding is the major factor responsible for the total extinction of some animals from parks.
“Adequate funding is the key to adequate management of wildlife conservation.
“There is need to replace some of the animals that have gone into extinction at the Kainji Lake Park and other wildlife parks in the country, for the continuous existence of the parks.
“Funds will aid transportation of the animals from distant places, to the parks.
“It is also important to ensure that poaching is stopped, that water does not dry up during the dry season and the types of food required by the animals are provided,’’ he said.
Kolo also advised that there should be proper cooperation between the indigenes where wildlife parks were located and the management of the parks.
He added that such collaboration would stem poaching and the illegal marketing of animal products like the elephant’s ivory trade
Kolo urged the government to equip the rangers with patrol vehicles and communication equipment, for adequate protection of the environment.
He suggested that rangers should be further trained, to enable them improve on wildlife management.