Nigerians have been urged to shun the act of hunting and consumption of wildlife, to guard against health risks as well as negative effects on the country’s biodiversity.
Wildlife Society of Nigeria, WISON, gave the admonition in a communiqué issued after its national conference at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA.
With the theme ‘Globalisation and Wildlife Trade: Trends and Impacts on Conservation,’ WISON disclosed that consumption of bushmeat is capable of exposing the public to zoonotic diseases.
In the communiqué, jointly signed by WISON’s National President, Prof. Jayeola Omotola, and Secretary, Dr. Jacob Orimaye, government at all level were urged to incorporate wildlife health monitoring into the health system.
While calling for enforcement strategies to curb poaching activities as well as transnational trafficking of wildlife, the Society advocated for participatory management and benefit-sharing schemes that empower local communities as custodians of biodiversity.
WISON, which also urged organisations to promote ecotourism and cultural heritage as gateway to sustainable livelihoods, urged stakeholders to scale up advocacy and outreach to build a conservation-conscious society.
“The government, civil society, academia, and international partners must intensify collective action to secure Nigeria’s natural heritage for present and future generations,” the communiqué concluded.
