Save Andoni Forest Elephant and Ecosystem Initiative (SAFE-i), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Thursday, April 25, 2024, reiterated the need for government at all levels to strengthen measures for wildlife protection.
Mr Gogo Ujile, Director of the body, made the appeal while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, “occasional by-catch” of dolphin in the area was exposing the endangered species to probable extinction, hence, the need for urgent measures towards wildlife protection.
The director noted that his organisation was collaborating with local fishermen, hunters and other stakeholders to preserve wildlife and the beautiful tourism potentials in Andoni area of the state.
“We are here to mark another milestone in our commitment to building sustainable marine ecosystem in Andoni.
“On April 18, 2024, surveillance at Andoni waterways revealed a by-catch of a dolphin at seashore located in Ikuru Town, Andoni area of the state.
“With prompt logistics from the local government Chairman, Mr Erastus Awortu, we recovered the mammal.
“Unfortunately, as at the time of arrival at seashore, the dolphin had died due to lack of facilities to resuscitate it.
“However, we were able to recover the entire carcass as specimen and I am glad to have the representative of government to witness a public dolphin morphometric analysis,” he said.
Earlier, the State Director of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Fiibite Bibi, commended the SAFE-i for conservation of marine endangered species in Andoni and the state.
The director expressed the state government’s resolve to partner with organisations with a view of dissuading fishermen from hunting endangered sea mammals in the state.
Also, Mr Victor Otuka, the Curator, National Museum and Monuments in the state, noted the agency’s commitment to conservation of tangible and intangible heritage of the people.
“The National Museum, Port Harcourt, is already providing technical support to the Unyeada Fishing Festival ‘Ijok-irin’ a cultural festival of the Andoni (Obolo) people,” he said.
By Ikuru Lizzy
