National Park Service partners Borno government to monitor migrating elephants

The National Park Service has entered into a strategic synergy with the Borno state government on monitoring of marauding elephants in kutila community of the state.

This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Media Assistant to the Conservator-General of the Service, Yakubu Zull.

Zull added that Borno State Honourable commissioner for environment Engineer Kabiru Wanori requested for the synergy while on courtesy call on the Conservator-General of the Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni Wednesday, in Abuja.

The Commissioner, Engineer Kabiru said he was advised by the Honourable Minister for Environment Dr. Abubakar Mahmood to contact the National Park Service for such assistances.

The Commissioner said his State needs the expertise and support of the National Park Service to monitor, control and protect the elephants from hunters or bad elements around.

Commissioner Wanori said that the elephants which migrated from a park in Cameroun to Kutila village have invaded part of the village and destroyed some farms in the village. However, he said Borno state government has already adopted community based approach to protect the elephants and other natural resources in the areas.

Responding, the CG, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni obliged to the request of the Commissioner and assured him the continuous support of the Service to monitor, control and protect the elephants. The CG said the Service has been tracking the movement of the elephants by using some locals and UN staff on ground with helicopter.

The CG assured the Commissioner that the elephants will be carefully monitored and guided back to their habits.

Related: We are tracking migrating elephants – CG National Parks

The CG recounted that the Service and Borno state have enjoyed a good relationship for decades since from the time of the first Executive Director of the Service, Alhaji Lawan Marguba. Hence, the CG used the occasion to appeal for patrol vehicles from the State to strengthen the capacity of the Service for effective protection of resources in the parks in Nigeria citing the recent donation of two brand hilux to the Service by Nigerian Army.

The CG noted that management of natural resources world over is capital intensive which always requires the support of others to succeed.

Instantly, the Commissioner asked the CG to write the letter of the request to his Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum through him and promised to intercede for the Service.