Posted by By HENRY CHUKWURAH, Port Harcourt on
It's stranger than fiction but true. In Nyokhana community in Ogoniland, are strange animals and a wonder tree that would tickle tourists' fancy
It's stranger than fiction but true. In Nyokhana community in Ogoniland, are strange animals and a wonder tree that would tickle tourists' fancy
The unusual animals are two crocodiles with a miniature palm tree on their heads, and a python that is as big as a tree trunk
That is not all. In that same locality, is a tree that the villagers say, emits what looks like human blood.
Hints of the special crocodiles and tree whose features would likely stretch scientists, came from Dr Fresh Deemua, the President of Friends of the Forest International, a non-governmental organization based in Bori, the political headquarters of the Ogonis.
Dr Deemua, a lecturer with the Rivers State Polytechnic (Rivpoly) in Bori, told Daily Sun in an exclusive interview that his organization that is concerned with conservation and re-forestation, has been striving to keep the animals off harm's way.
'We have been working assiduously with the community to see that they do not tamper with the crocodiles".
In the case of the python, Deemua said the common belief among the natives is that the snake vomits what looks like a diamond that lights up the area each time it wants to hunt for food.
'At the end of feeding, it swallows the diamond again".
For doubting Thomases, he said, 'they are very free to come and see" the special species of crocodile, the python and the tree.
'We have the pictures of all of them and whoever wants to see them is also free to visit us".
The lecturer whose NGO was set up in 1998, regretted that efforts in the past to raise funds and support for wild life in the area including Puoko village that boasts of 'stick-throwing" monkeys drew blank.
'The experience has been horrible. In terms of funding, we had applied to various organizations in the country to come to our aid. So far, there has been no positive response despite all the talk about the environment and tourism.
'We have also been talking with some foreign bodies but the way these organizations look at us has been a problem. They see us as a country of 419 people. So far, we have sent out about 25 letters without response.
'Conservation is of global concern. We told them that they are free to come and see for themselves".
Faced with these disappointments, Deemua would want the Federal and the Rivers State governments as well as other corporate organizations to rush to the rescue, 'so that we can give life to these special animals".
He specifically urged Governor Peter Odili who, he described as 'development-oriented and environment-friendly", to assist his organization.
'Governor Odili has a track record for showing interest in matters of this nature. That is why we of this organization, though apolitical, are uncomfortable with the campaign of calumny launched against his government some time ago".
Deemua hinted that his organization would soon embark on 'aggressive tree planting and conservation" in areas where near-extinct animals have been located in his native Ogoniland.