Protected Animals in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

Out of the various animals in the wildlife, few species are on the brink of extinction, and if proper legal steps are not taken, these animals risk being endangered and, in the worst case, being extinct.

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ANIMAL POPULATION STATUS: THE NIGER-DELTA RED COLOBUS

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The red colobus in the Nigerian delta is an endangered species in the western region of the country. The monkey is characterised by its reddish-brown colour; it spends most of its time in the thick forest. By estimation study, there are fewer than 500 of this species remaining in the wild. Due to the threats to its habitat, the Niger Delta red colobus is one of the most endangered species in the world.

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CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HABITAT CHANGE

Different factors have contributed to the reduction of the Red colobus population.

LOSS OF HABITAT:

The Niger Delta, as one of the leading geopolitical zones in Nigeria, in the production of crude oil, has affected this species in terms of exploration and expansion of the oil and gas sector that has destroyed the habitat of the species, leading to its endangerment. The construction of infrastructure such as roads and pipelines disrupts the continuous canopy cover important for the colobus monkeys' lifestyle.

HUNTING AND POACHING:

Even with legal protections, hunting remains a significant threat, as hunters do not care about any legal law but are concerned with hunting these animals for food, for the purpose of selling to make a profit, and in different villages, their skins are used to decorate palaces; and in these places, hunting the kind of animals shows their superiority over other hunters (the number of hunts they make boosts their ranking in their community). The Niger Delta red colobus is often targeted due to its size and the ease of hunting in fragmented forest areas.

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AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION:

Most habitats of this species have been converted into farmlands for subsistent farming, thereby endangering their species and pushing animals to extinction, reducing their available living space. The above-listed factors have contributed greatly to the decline in the population of the Red colobus, making the efforts to conserve them even more challenging.

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LEGAL STATUS AND PROTECTION

In Nigeria, the Niger Delta red colobus is protected under the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic Act of 1985). This act prohibits the hunting, capturing and selling of the listed species without appropriate permissions. Violations of this act can result in significant fines and imprisonment.Despite these legal acts in place, enforcement of the law is very challenging. Limited resources and lack of awareness contribute to the ongoing threats to these species.
Conservation organisations, such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), should work to raise awareness and implement community-based conservation programmes to protect this endangered species.

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CONCLUSION

The Niger Delta red colobus is an endangered species facing numerous threats from habitat loss, hunting, and environmental degradation. While legal protections exist, effective enforcement and community engagement are crucial for the survival of this unique species. Conserving the Niger Delta red colobus not only preserves Nigeria's rich biological diversity but also maintains the ecological balance of the region's forest ecosystems.

I would love to invite @etoro @promisezella and @imohmitch to take part