How we recaptured lion that bolted from its crate in Nasarawa – Conservator-General

The Conservator General of National Park Service (NPS), Alhaji Ibrahim Goni has said that the collaboration of all stakeholders made it possible for the recapturing of the lion that bolted away from its crate during the Agric show in Nasarawa State last week.

Goni spoke in Abuja on the backdrop of the recent event of a lion that Kano state took to Karu in Nasarawa state for an Agric show that bolted from its mobile crate and was wandering inside the zoo.

“The Kano State government contacted us and we immediately deployed our team of experts led by a veterinary doctor of the Service, Conservator of Park (CP) Abdulrahaman Mohammed to the state for professional intervention.

“The collaboration between our professionals and the management of the Kano state zoo paid off, and this led to the safe return of the lion to its cage in the zoo”.

He commended the team for a job well done because according to him, transferring wildlife, especially carnivores and dangerous ones like lions, is a tricky task that requires meticulous planning.

“Lions present particular transportation challenges because of their size and the danger they pose to humans, so to handle them must be well planned, prepared and effectively executed.

“The more we understand about how these animals behave, the easier it would be for them to be handled without harm to the animals and/or to humans”.

The CG said that although conservation might look like a big problem that’s best left to the experts to solve, there are small changes that we all can make in our everyday lives to conserve the nation’s biodiversity.

“When we all work together to make these changes, they can make a big difference, and the Service’s doors are wide open for any collaboration that will make our nation better.

“The NPK is all about conservation and preservation of our environment and we are prepared to work with stakeholders to have a well-protected and healthy biodiversity.

He said that it is not easy to re-think our individual approaches to biodiversity conservation, but with a lot of collaboration, transparency and the conviction to stand by our principles, we have the tools needed to create better outcomes for all.

He commended the Kano sate zoo management for doing the right thing by contacting the Service for professional help that averted possible calamity, unlike the whale that was washed ashore recently in Bayelsa state.

Recall that few months ago, a whale measuring about 30 feet was washed ashore at Ijaw kiri community water front, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Instead of calling on the appropriate authorities to handle it, some people in the community decided to subject the beached whale to an untidy fate.

Zoo Managers should also pay attention to the welfare, training of Zoo curators, use of appropriate materials in the zoos and timely feeding of animals, etc.

“We will continue to raise awareness through developing working relationships of mutual support with other organizations who share our goals.

“Biodiversity should be a top priority if we must achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The SDGs acknowledge the clear connection between environment and development by integrating sustainability in all 17 of the Global Goals.”