Nigeria’s Elephants: Conservationists Warn of Extinction as Habitat Loss, Human Conflict Threaten Remnant Population
Bennett Oghifo For generations, elephants once moved freely through Nigeria’s forests and savannahs, forming huge herds that were an unmistakable part of the country’s natural landscape. But today, the sight
For centuries, elephants roamed freely across Nigeria's forests and savannahs, a natural and integral part of the country's landscape. Today, however, the majestic creatures are a rare sight, with only around 400 thought to remain. Conservationists are warning that the shrinking population, coupled with fragmented habitats, human-wildlife conflicts, and continued deforestation, threaten the survival of Nigeria's elephants.
As the world commemorates World Elephant Day on August 12, conservationists have raised the alarm, stating that the country's remaining elephant population is in a critical state and requires urgent intervention.
During a media chat organized by Wild Africa and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Stella Egbe, lead for biodiversity pillar programmes at NCF, emphasized the importance of this occasion in reaching a wider audience with the message of elephant conservation. She expressed hope that the conversation would extend beyond the traditional conservation community and engage the public.
Dr. Mark Ofua, a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist representing Wild Africa in West Africa, painted a vivid picture of how drastically the elephant population has declined in a single generation. He recalled his father's stories of large herds of elephants crossing roads in the Niger Delta, where he grew up, to illustrate the stark contrast with the present situation.
Currently, the country is estimated to have approximately 300 forest elephants, primarily found in southern Nigeria, and around 100 savannah elephants in the wild. The forest elephants inhabit areas such as Omo Forest Reserve in Ogun State, Okomu National Park in Edo State, Cross River National Park in Rivers State, and Andoni in Rivers State.
Savannah elephants are predominantly found in northern Nigeria, with a significant population in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State. Elephants also migrate across Nigeria's international borders, particularly between Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Egbe explained that elephants do not recognize political boundaries and historically moved across vast landscapes in search of food, water, and suitable habitats. However, the fragmentation of forests and natural habitats due to human activities like agriculture, settlements, and infrastructure development has severely restricted these movements.
She stressed that the fragmentation poses a significant threat to healthy elephant populations, preventing them from maintaining genetic diversity and avoiding inbreeding. Ofua added that with the estimated number of elephants already at a critical level, any further decline could lead to their permanent extinction if the remaining animals are not adequately protected and allowed to reproduce.
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