By Alex Abutu, 28 May 2014
Yankari Game Reserve contains the largest surviving
contingent of elephants in Nigeria and West Africa but, of late,
these animals have been subjected to ill treatment, including killing them for
the thriving ivory market in Asia.The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Bauchi State government
to manage the conservation of Yankari Game Reserve.A statement by WCS said the
Society signed a four-year agreement with officials of the state to manage
conservation work in Yankari, considered the nation's richest protected area.The
reserve contains an estimated 350 elephants - the only viable population
remaining in Nigeria. In addition, the 866-square-mile (2,244 square
kilometres) reserve supports important populations of lion, buffalo, hippo,
roan antelope, and hartebeest. Originally created as a game reserve in 1956,
Yankari was upgraded to a national park in 1991. It was managed by the National
Parks Service until 2006 when responsibility for the management of the reserve
was handed back to Bauchi State government. Since then, tourism infrastructure
has been dramatically improved. Yankari is now one of the most popular tourism
destinations in Nigeria. Support from WCS began in 2009 and it has led to a
significant improvement in the protection of wildlife, although hunting and
grazing of livestock within the reserve have not yet been brought under full
control. Reports suggest that an unknown number of elephants may have been
killed in recent years to sustain Nigeria's illegal trade in ivory. In addition
to the funds provided by Bauchi State government under the terms of the
agreement, WCS's 96 Elephants campaign will also provide funding and support
for regular anti-poaching patrols in Yankari, including equipment and training.
Dr. James Deutsch, Executive Director of WCS's Africa Programme said: "We
are extremely proud to be entrusted with preserving this critically important
wildlife area by the Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda, for the
benefit of the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria."WCS is working to save
wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action,
education, and inspiring people to value nature.
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