In a media briefing organised by Wild Africa and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) ahead of World Elephant Day, conservationists issued a warning: Nigeria’s wild elephant population has plummeted to roughly 400 individuals—comprising approximately 300 forest elephants and 100 savannah elephants.
Without urgent interventions, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, and human-elephant conflicts threaten to push the species toward local extinction.
Dr. Mark Ofua, Wildlife Veterinarian and West African Representative of Wild Africa, emphasised that elephants are an “umbrella species” vital to maintaining forest health, biodiversity, and carbon storage. He warned that population fragmentation risks severe inbreeding and ecological collapse.
Punch Nigeria reported on the media briefing, sharing Dr Mark’s call for stronger enforcement, better public awareness and closer collaboration among government agencies for the protection of Nigeria’s elephants.
