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– Poachers Turn Rangers to Safeguard Omo’s Endangered Elephants
– Community Engagement and Technology Join Forces in Conservation
– National Elephant Action Plan and Early Warning Tools Offer Hope
In Nigeria’s Omo Forest Reserve—one of the final refuges for the country’s forest elephants—former poachers have become frontline protectors. Led by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), these reformed hunters now serve as forest rangers, stationed in “Elephants’ Camp” deep within a UNESCO-designated conservation zone that spans over 6.5 km². They patrol threatened habitats, replacing illegal cocoa farms with new trees, and use motion-detecting cameras to monitor both wildlife and intruders. Their work has restored hope for communities and wildlife alike by leveraging local knowledge in environmental protection.
Beyond grassroots efforts, Nigeria is scaling up conservation with innovation and policy. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is deploying satellite collars, beehive fences, and odor-based deterrents to reduce human-elephant conflict, while chili-and-garlic repellents offer non-lethal protection solutions adapted from Zimbabwean models. Additionally, Nigeria launched its first 10-year National Elephant Action Plan (2024–2034), backed by the Federal Ministry of Environment, WCS, and the Elephant Protection Initiative. The plan outlines frameworks for habitat protection, law enforcement, community engagement, and sustainable coexistence.
