Chasing the Poachers: Protecting Nigeria's Wildlife Endangered Species from Extinction

Abstract

Global concern over disappearing species led to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in 1973. Nigeria's response came in the enactment of Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, 1985. Apart from being signatory to CITES on 7th November 1975, Nigeria is also signatory to Ramsar Wetlands Convention; Convention on Biological Diversity; Migratory Bird Treaty; Whaling Convention and other international conventions and treaties designed to protect or manage threatened species and biological resources. These international and national legislations represents a new attitude towards global and national attempt in protecting wildlife endangered species fauna and flora from extinction. This article examines Nigeria's legal regime for the protection of wildlife endangered species fauna and flora; the challenges of implementation; the inter-linkage between the protection of wildlife endangered species fauna and flora in Nigeria and the concept of sustainable development. There is also the problem of enforcement, poverty and compliance due to political factors, institutional constraints, national focus on economic growth due to rising poverty level, shortage of funding and manpower, local protectionism and continued illegal trade in endangered species. Poaching is a problem in Nigeria as respects trade in wildlife products and this is severely depleting wildlife populations.