LEGAL RIGHTS OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL OWNERS

“LEGAL RIGHTS OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL OWNERS”
BEING THE TEXT OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY SIKIRU OLAREWAJU ADEWOYE ESQ TO THE NIGERIAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, OYO STATE BRANCH AT VETERINARY HOSPITAL, MOKOLA, IBADAN ON 30TH APRIL, 2013
PREAMBLE
I am indeed challenged and humbled to stand before the gathering of brightest members of one of the noble professions in the world. Perhaps you saw something in me that informed your choice, whatever that thing, let me assure you that at the end of this discourse, we would have been individually and collectively challenged.
I cannot but allude to the nobility of the veterinary medicine profession in terms of its enormous responsibility in ensuring the general welfare and wellbeing and the execution of humane practices on “dumb” animals as ignorantly held by man, deriding the neighbours that tell stories about us. The lessons taught us by Mother Nature through animals cannot but smack of the question that: Who is “dumb” after all?
The patience and conscience associated with the knowledge and skills of veterinarians in promoting humane handling, appropriate treatment, prevention of cruelty, assurance of well-being in husbandry practices, in the use of beast of burden, in the herding and transportation from place to place, herd to herd, herd to market and to slaughter is not only salutary but enlivens eloquent testimony to the long held belief that Mother Nature does not work in vain.
INTRODUCTORY PERSPECTIVE
It is, indeed pleasantly fortuitous that the present discussion of Animal Rights is taking place at a time, and in an age when the whole world has realized that the challenges for the future appear formidable without saving vanishing species and assurance of responsible care of our animal species. It comes at a time when the conscionable people of the world have started to ask questions that why are we living comfortably while the treatment of many of our animals regresses to the standard of the 6th century and why animals in Agriculture, Animals in Science and Animals in Entertainment suffer needless torment for profit or that some hallucinating elements did it years back or people in high places savour it?
At home, the situation is beyond insensitivity to the plight of animals but unimaginably extends to animosity of perceived misplaced priority of problems. Many felt that the current challenges facing Nigeria do not admit of the attitudinal change and sensitization on Animal Rights.
Sadly, inadequate knowledge and understanding of Animal Rights has been identified as one of the banes of venomous animosity expressed by many Nigerians to the enthronement of Animal Rights in Nigeria. The civilised societies of the world equally had a fair share of such opposition yet they seized the opportunity to make Animal Rights Declaration a significant step forward in the global fight against environmental problems which, of course, include cruelty to animals and biodiversity loss the Declaration seeks to redress.
DEFINITION OF KEY WORDS
The key words of the lecture are legal, right, Animal, Animal Rights and Animal Owners.
Legal is that permitted by, pertaining to, connected with the law. That, which is recognized, by law rather than by equity.
Right is an interest recognized and protected by the law, respect for which is a duty and disrespect of which is a wrong. Right of a party presupposes a correlative duty on another party. Rights are perfect and imperfect; positive and negative; real and personal; proprietary and personal; in repropria and in re-aliena; principal and accessory; and legal and equitable.
Animal is any member of the Kingdom Animalia or any such living thing other than a humanbeing. Animals are classified into “domitae naturae or mansuetae naturae (tamed or domesticated) and ferae naturae (of a wild nature).
The distinction between domestication and taming is that the former includes control of reproductive phase of the life cycle and selection of parents while taming does not. Taming is the practice of eliminating the desire of an animal to the, and possibly, of training the animal to perform some useful functions. A description of wild animals may be classified into mammals, ungulates, carnivores, Rodents, primates, insectivores, reptiles, amphibians and bovidae.
Animal Rights are the rights conferred on them by law or the State as a result of the State’s interest in them. The legal restrictions placed on human beings in their dealings or interactions with animals form the core of animal rights.
Animal owners are the persons who own or possess animal. In other words, animals are subjects of private and State property depending whether the animal is ferae naturae or mansuetae naturae (domestic or wild animals). The ownership of wildlife in Nigeria appears to have been vested in the Federal and State Governments depending on the territories of the tier of government the wildlife exists.
LEGAL RIGHTS OF ANIMALS
In the belief that mankind ought to respect the environment, treat nature with dignity and collectively responsible to expose threats to the continued existence of animal species for the benefit of human sustenance and survival; and also in the consideration that life is one, all living beings having a common origin and having diversified in the course of the evolution of the species; all living beings possess natural rights, and that any animal with a nervous system has specific rights; the contempt for, and even the simple ignorance of these natural rights cause serious damage to nature and lead man to commit crimes against animals; the coexistence of species implies a recognition by the human species of the right of other animal species to live; and the respect of humans for animals is inseparable from the respect of man for another man.
P R E A M B L E
Whereas all animals have rights;
Whereas disregard and contempt for the rights of animals have resulted and continue to result in crimes by man against nature and against animals;
Whereas recognition by the human species of the right to existence of other animal species is the foundation of the co-existence of species throughout the animal world;
Whereas genocide has been perpetrated by man on animals and the threat of genocide continues;
Whereas respect for animals is linked to the respect of man for men;
Whereas from childhood man should be taught to observe, understand, respect and love animals;
IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED:
Article 1
-​All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to
existence.
Article 2
-​All animals are entitled to respect.
-​Man as an animal species shall not arrogate to himself the right to
exterminate or inhumanely exploit other animals. It is his duty to use his knowledge for the welfare of animals.
-​All animals have the right to the attention, care and protection of man.
Article 3
-​No animal shall be ill-treated or shall be subject to cruel acts.
-​If an animal has to be killed, this must be instantaneous and without distress.
Article 4
-​All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural environment, whether
land, air or water, and should be allowed to procreate.
-​Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of
this right.
Article 5
-​Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment have the right
to live and grow at the rhythm and under the conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species.
-​Any interference by man with this rhythm or these conditions for purposes of
gain is an infringement of this right.
Article 6
-​All companion animals have the right to complete their natural life span.
-​Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.
Article 7
-​All working animals are entitled to a reasonable limitation of the duration and
intensity of their work, to the necessary nourishment, and to rest.
Article 8
-​Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is
incompatible with the rights of animals whether it be for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research.
-​Replacement methods must be used and developed.
Article 9
-​Where animals are used in the food industry, they shall be reared,
transported, lairaged and killed without the infliction of suffering.
Article 10
-​No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of man.
-​Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with their
dignity.
Article 11
-​Any act involving the wanton killing of an animal is biocide, that is, a crime
against life.
Article 12
-​Any act involving mass killing of wild animals is genocide, that is, a crime
against the species.
-​Pollution or destruction of the natural environment leads to genocide.
Article 13
-​Dead animals shall be treated with respect.
-​Scenes of violence involving animals shall be banned from cinema and
television, except for humane education.
Article 14
-​Representatives of movements that defend animal rights should have an
effective voice at all levels of government.
-​The rights of animals, like human rights, should enjoy the protection of law.
APPLICABILITY OF THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF ANIMALS IN NIGERIA
In the precolonial Nigeria particularly in Yorubaland many juristic thoughts, proverbs and wise saying which served as charters of social and ethical norms forbade misuse and mismanagement of animal species. In the Colonial Nigeria, many Ordinances like Wild Animals Preservation Ordinance, Diseases of Animals Ordinance, Forestry Ordinance and other Regulations relevant to the rights of animals were promulgated by Colonial Masters and these laws became the forerunners of today’s statutes directly or indirectly regulating human and animal interaction in such a way to bring it in conformity with the dictates of the Declaration of Animal Rights.
In the 80’s and 90’s Nigeria subscribed to many international instruments and a good number of conventions, treaties, protocols, were domesticated as part of our Municipal laws. This period witnessed a significant development of environmental laws in Nigeria. The Animal Rights related Federal laws enacted during the period under reference which are still extant and operational include the following:
• Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999;
• Animal Diseases (Control) Act; Cap A. 17 LFN 2004;
• Bee (Import, Control and Management) Act; Cap. B.6 LFN 2004;
• The Endangered Species Act; Cap. E.9 LFN 2004;
• Hides and Skins Act; Cap. H.3 LFN 2004;
• Live Fish (Control of importation) Act; Cap. L.14 LFN 2004;
• National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds Act; Cap. N.27 LFN 2004;
• Agricultural (Control of Implementation) Act; Cap. A.13 LFN 2004;
• Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute Act; Cap. A10 LFN 2004;
• Pests (Control of Produce) Act; Cap. P.9 LFN 2004;
• Quarantine Act; Cap. Q2 LFN 2004;
• Associated Gas RE-injection Act; Cap. A.25 LFN 2004;
• Civil Aviation Act; Cap. C.13 LFN 2004;
• Oil and Navigable Waters Act; Cap. 0.6 LFN 2004;
• Veterinary Surgeon Act Cap. V3 LFN 2004;
• River Basin Development Authority Act; Cap. R.9 LFN 2004;
• Sea Fisheries Act; Cap. S.4 LFN 2004;
• Territorial Waters Act; Cap. R. 5 LFN 2004;
• Exclusive Economic Zone Act; Cap. E.17 LFN 2004;
• National Water Resources Institute Act; Cap. N.83 LFN 2004;
• Kainji Lake National Park Act; Cap. 197 LFN 2004;
• Harmful Waste Act; Cap. H.1 LFN 2004;
• Land Use Act; Cap. L.5 LFN 2004;
• Minerals Act; Cap. M. 12 LFN 2004;
• Petroleum Act; Cap. P. 10 LFN 2004;
• Criminal Code Act; Cap. C. 13 LFN 2004;
• Energy Commission of Nigeria Act; Cap. E. 10 LFN 2004;
• Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act; Cap. F. 10 LFN 2004;
• Natural Resources Conservation Council Act; Cap. 268 LFN 2004;
• Environmental Impact Assessment Decree; Cap E. 12 LFN 2004; and
• The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. N.14 of 2004
The most instructive of the Environmental Laws impacting positively on Animal Rights, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (FEPA) Cap F.10 :FN 2004 and the Endangered Species Act Cap E. 9 LFN 2004. In 2007 however, the National Environmental Standard Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act repealing FEPA Act was promulgated with commendable innovations that conform to the 21st century realities of Animal Rights. The most important provision of the NESREA Act (National Environmental Standard Regulations Enforcement Agency) is Section 7(c) which mandates the Agency to enforce compliance with the provisions of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties on the environment and such other agreement as may from time to time come into force.
The innovation under Section 7(c) of NESREA Act is a welcome development and serves as a reminder to Nigeria’s obligation under the provisions of Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties which provides that “every treaty in force is binding upon the parties to it and must be performed by them in good faith. Arguably, Section 7(c) of NESREA Act can be said to derive validity and support in Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution not minding the uncertainty that flanked the enforceability of the fundamental objectives and Directive principles of the State policy as demonstrated in the case of Donald Morebise Eso Ors. V. Lagos State House of Assembly (2000) 7 NCLR P. 197 when the Court held thus:
“Although the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 are no justiciable, Nevertheless they remain pillars of guide and focus of attention for all tiers of government.”
By the community reading of Sections 7(c) of NESREA Act, Article 14 of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Animals 1978; Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and Sections 20 and 44(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the 1978 Declaration of the Rights of Animals by UNESCO albeit, not been domesticated as part of Municipal Laws, is applicable and enforceable in Nigeria and by the Nigerian courts.
The above reasoning finds supports in the immortal words of per UWAIFO, J.S.C at pages 342- 343, Paras F-D in the case of Abacha V. Fawehinmi (2006) 6 NWLR pt 660 P. 289 where he held thus:
Per UWAIFO, J.S.C at Pages 342-343, Paras F-D;
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“It seems to me that where we have a treaty like the African charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and similar treaties applicable to Nigeria, we must be prepared to stand on the side of civilized societies the world over in the way we consider and apply them as part of our laws. To my mind, this remains a valid attitude whether in military or civilian government. This will necessarily extract from the judiciary, so much in a military regime, its will and resource fulness to play its role in the defence of liberty and justice. The judiciary must not be seen as assisting those who step on liberty and justice to effectively press them down. Of course, if its role is completely taken away or abrogated in any particular situation, it will be obvious that no blame can be laid at its door for the infraction of human rights and liberties in question in any given situation. I subscribe to every view which supports the attitude that “we can not afford to be immune from the progressive movements manifesting themselves in international agreements, treaties resolutions, protocols, and other similar understanding as well as in the respectable and respected voices of our other learned brethren in the performance of their adjudicating roles in other jurisdictions”……..
See also the case of Mojekwu V. Ejikemi (2002) 5 NWLR pt. 657 @ 402 where the court held thus:
“Virginia, the motion of the 3rd appellant, and grandmother of the 1st and 2nd appellants, a victim of the Nnewi nrachi ceremony, cannot be discriminated against on grounds of her female sex. By the application of the custom, Virginia was subjected to disabilities or restrictions which the provision of section 42(1) of the Constitution forbids. The above apart, Virginia has protection under article 2 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). By the Article, State Parties condemn discrimination against women in all its form and agree to pursue of policy of eliminating discrimination against women.
By Article 5, State Parties are called upon to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the men and women. In my humble view, Virginia is a victim of the prejudices anticipated in Article 5. In view of the fact that Nigeria is a party to the Convention, courts of law should give or provide teeth to its provisions. That is one major way of ameliorating the unfortunate situation Virginia found herself, a situation where she was forced to rely on an uncouth custom not only against the laws of Nigeria but also against nature.”
LEGAL RIGHTS OF ANIMAL OWNERS
RIGHT TO OWN AND POSSESS ANIMAL
The concept of animal rights appears not to give many legal rights to animal owners as far as the rights of animals are concerned. Rather, it imposes a number of duties on animal owners. What appears to be the legal right of animal owners is that, among others, which give the owner the qualified right to own tamed or domesticated animal in his or her possession.
If animal is considered as a subject of private property, while an animal is legally in the possession of a person, the person has the fundamental right to own it as his property and this finds support in the provision of Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which provides thus:
“No moveable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law that, among other things.”
This possessory right of citizens constitutionally guaranteed by the Constitution is not without qualifications as variously provided for in Subsection (2)(f) of Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); Sections 1, 2 and 5 of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act; and Section 498 of the Criminal Code to mention but a few.
WHO OWNS THE WILDLIFE AND MANAGES PET ANIMALS?
The matter dealing with the ownership of wild animal falls within the concurrent legislative list and pursuant to thus, several statutes including National Park Service Act, The Endangered Specie Act, Animal Diseases (Control Act) and other federal statutes were enacted. Before 1990, the Wild Animals Preservation Law in existence were promulgated by both the Federal and State Governments. After 1990, Wild Animals Preservation Acts were omitted but most States of the Federation retained this law till date. The fact that Wild Animals Preservation Law was omitted does not take the matter pertaining to Wild Animals beyond the vires of the Federal Government. Section 20 (1) of the National Park Service Act is illuminating on it where it is provided thus:
“The ownership of every wild animal and wild plant existing in its natural habitat in a National Park and anything whatsoever, whether of biological, geomorphological or historical origin or otherwise, existing or found in a National Park is hereby vested in the Federal Government and subject to the control and management by the Federal Government for the benefit of Nigeria and mankind generally.”
In view of the above, it can be safely concluded that the ownership of wildlife is shared by the Federal and State Government. In other words, wild animal is a subject of states property.
Inherent in the right of ownership of wild Animals by the State is to keep and move animals in possession of individual animal owner. There appears to be no legal inhibition to the exercise of the right accessory to the principal right of ownership of the State over wild animals in their natural habitat but same cannot be said of the State or individual’s possessory right where the animal which is the subject of the right is tamed or domesticated. The right to control or regulate movement and keeping of pets either by the state or individual citizen has been taken away by the 1999 Constitution and given to the relevant Local Government Council so that the possessory right is exercised subject to the Local Government Council’s right to control and regulate movement and keeping of animals so kept as pets. In other words, the description of pets covers both domestic and wild animals that are tamed and kept as companion and cared for affectionately.
Section 7(5) and paragraph K(ii) of the 4th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution provides thus:
“7(5)​The functions to be conferred by Law upon local government councils shall include those set out in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution”
“K (ii) Movement and keeping of pets of all description”
The Section places the regulation and control of movement and keeping of pets of all description at the doorstep of the Local Government Council as the third tier of government and this finds support in the reasoning of the Court in the case of Knight Frank & Rutley (Nig.) v. Attorney General Kano State (1998) 7 NWLR (Pt. 556) Page 1 where Paragraph 1 of the 4th Schedule to the 1979 Constitution which is similar to the content of Paragraph 1 of the 4th Schedule to the 1999 Constriction (as amended) was considered thus:
“By virtue of Section7(5) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 the functions which can be conferred by law on Local Government Councils are intended by the Constitution to include the function set out in the 4th Schedule to the Constitution”.
RIGHT TO SUE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ANIMAL
Generally, animal owners, natural or artificial persons can exercise right of action in Tort for and on behalf of animals with a view to righting the wrong committed on animals. The situation is however different in cases of criminal abuse of the rights of animals as the State and not individual can prosecute in criminal matters. Some cases of abuse of the rights of animals with criminal implications include cruelty, bestiality, and communication of diseases.
These offences must of necessity be prosecuted by the Police or the Attorney General. However, animal owner, friend or fancier is at liberty to make formal complaint to the Police to set the machinery of law in motion for prosecution in deserving situations just as the Criminal Law clothes them with the right of arrest without warrant.
The right to sue in civil action for and on behalf of animal is not without a legal challenge under the principle of “locus standi” The implication of this is that if any defender of animal rights desires a protection or safeguard of the rights of animal, he would be met with the barrier of locus standi “the right to sue” and the courts’ decisions in respect of same remain haphazard as different consideration are employed in the determination of whether or not an individual has locus standi to protect the sanctity of the constitution.
In a case between Ram lovers Associations and Ram Owners Association (Re-Application of Sikiru Adewoye Esq.) Suit NO: I/768/2007, I applied to be joined as a party to the suit claiming that the subject matter of the case being the determination of who has the right to stage Ram fight in Ibadan, is criminal, illegal, unconstitutional and an abuse of court process in that Ram fight constitutes cruelty to animal under the Criminal Code and Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act and that court should not be seen to aid illegality but to give effect to the provisions of the laws.
Piqued by my application, both parties promptly raised objection to my application on the ground that I lacked locus standi to defend the interest of the animals. The presiding Justice Adegbola ordered written addresses. While my application was pending the two parties quickly agreed between themselves, settled out of Court and filed Notice of discontinuance. I also objected to the competence of the Notice of discontinuance being an abuse of the process of Court in view of the pendency of my application for joinder on which I have accentuated the grounds of laws I intend to canvass if joined as a party to the suit.
The counsel to Ram lovers Association, Mr. Aiyeokutan was even of the opinion that I was just a spoiler and a meddlesome interloper and that as an individual, I lacked the capacity to challenge the impropriety of the subject matter of the suit in that, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registered the two associations with the Ram fight competition as part of their object clauses and for that reason that I lacked the constitutional right to defend the interest of animals in Nigeria.
We may however take solace in the notable pronouncement of the decision of the High Court of Lagos in the case of Eso v. Lagos State House of Assembly (Supra) bordering on Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution in the challenge to an enactment made in the pursuit of House of Assembly’s Constitutional duties to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Lagos State and whether such amounts to usurpation of the power of the executive arm of government nor breaching the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 when it said thus:
“It is my humbly view that the defendant/applicant is wrong in challenging the locus standi or the capacity of the plaintiffs to sue, when the cause of action is intended to keep the law and the constitution of this country serene and inviolate. It behoves any person who is convinced that there is an infraction of the provision of the Constitution to be able to go to court and ask consequential relief, if relief is required. Emmanuel Ejeh & Ors.v. A.G. of Imo State (1985) 6 NCLR 330 @ 401-402. There should be no justification in this country for the self-imposed limitation to be applied by the Courts in putting out Court any person who genuinely seeks a proper and correct interpretation to the provisions of our constitution”
DISTRESS DAMAGE FEASANT
Aside from the possessory right of individual animal owner, is the right to remedy of distress damage feasant that gives the animal owner right to detain strayed animal and recover damages caused by the animal with the expenses of keeping the animal from the owner. However, the right to detain does not crystallise where the animal has not in fact, strayed. Inherent in the right is the right of sale subject to notice to the owner and police.
The keeper of a dog is, as a rule, liable in damages for killing or injuring livestock of a neighbour. The rule in Ryland v. Fletcher (1866) L.R 1 Exch, 265 states that:
“The person who, for his own purpose (and in the course of a non-natural use of his land) brings on his land and collects and keeps there anything likely to do mischief, if it escapes must keep it at his peril, and if he does not do so, is “prima facie” answerable for all the damages which is the natural consequence of its escape”
SCIENTER ACTION
This right enures in favour of animal owner who or whose animal is a victim of dangerous animal against the owner of dangerous animal. It is a strict liability offence if the animal causing damage or injury belongs to the class of ferae naturae which animals are conclusively presumed to be dangerous and the keeper or owner is liable for any harm caused without proof that the animal in question was savage or vicious Animals that are naturally vicious include buffaloes, elephants and most medium sized carnivores. In case of animal in the class of mansuetae naturae, the keeper or owner will be liable upon the proof of the animal’s viscous tendency (scienter) and the knowledge of such viciousness by the owner.
Having said that, animal owners are in fact, legally responsible for and answerable to the wrong or injury caused by animals in their custody or possession where damage is caused by an animal of dangerous specie, the owner of the animal is generally liable except as against a trespasser. Even against a trespasser, the owners of an animal will only escape liability but has no right which enures in his favour on account of that except a formal complaint is made to the police for investigation and prosecution.
CONCLUSION
Today, animals are in brink of extinction with threats from poaching, poisoning, habitat loss, population isolation, prey destruction, deforestation, low productive rates, forest fires, logging, smuggling, pet trade, destruction of breeding habitat, pollution, collisions, livestock grazing and other forms of greed that often stymies sincere efforts to maintain sustainable yield of animal population.
In confinement, animals are easily subdued, slaughtered and molded to the whims and caprices of their human captors.
The revolution in the use of animals for food that came with modern technology is mind-numbing. The use of animal in agriculture is in a consistent upward trajectory. Technology has found even more new uses for animals thereby resulting in increasing the numbers of these animals and their suffering. The treatment of animals becomes a more serious global problem everyday and Nigeria is not an exception. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service in 2011 claimed that at least 33 animals are killed every second in experiments worldwide.
We should implicitly recognize the need for virtue in the preservation of wildlife and humane treatment of animals in food factories and agriculture, in scientific experimentations and in captivity for education and entertainment. Current practices towards animals in meat industries, science and fashion are pathetic and cruel. As changing the condition of human and animal interaction becomes imperative through the law so do people’s conscience in ensuring the sustenance, welfare and wellbeing of animals and their habitats. All this and more, the Animal Rights seek to protect.
Do we know much about animal species that if one is lost; we know what has gone in terms of its potential for food and medicine. Wildlife species form knots in the net. How many knots man can cut before the net ceases to function? What right does our generation have to take options away from future generations by not handing over the species we inherited and hold in trust for them? Still, many have pitted animal against animal in the name of sport.
Animal Rights has to do with ethics of animal utilization by man. It determines how man ought to use the biosphere for the benefit of mankind as a whole Animals must be protected not simply because they represent an economic value, nor because the pain they endure offends our sensibility or emotion, nor even because they are part of our environment or even they are our lower neighbours but because they are living sentient beings which must be cared for and protected from inhumane treatment of man.
Awareness of Animal Rights is an inevitable hit, a galvanizing eruption of environmental energy and a panache that takes contemptuous tirades of misuse and mistreatment of animals beyond the face value. It is an antidote that comes at a time when sustenance of endangered species of animal and the exhilaration of preservation of Animal welfare and wellbeing is in the doldrums.
The sincerity of Nigeria’s Slogan “Good People Great Nation” would continue to receive knock from and call to question by the public at home and elsewhere until we have Police and Magistrates who would be in sympathy with a law to punish person for cruelty to animal and unlicensed killing. Are we to say Nigerians are good except to animals? Orientation Agencies must create in our minds marked enthusiasm for Animal Rights.
Today, respect the rights of animals and have the benevolence of their CREATOR for if the crises of cruelty to and violent scenes of animals were to weigh heavily upon the human heart, much more would it be felt by God who created them.
If you have been challenged, then my assignment is accomplished.
Thank you so much for your kind attention.

SYNOPSIS OF ANIMAL RIGHTS

India has the largest population of tiger more than any country. The population fell to 1,411 from 3,700 less than a decade ago and 40,000 at the time of Indian independence from Britain in 1947. Since 2007 government did not only fund anti-poaching programme with millions of pounds but also moved villagers out of tiger reserve areas to allow the beasts to roam more freely. Reverse is the case in Nigeria but a positive change is desirable.
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Animals tell stories about us. Theory of evolution tells us that primates are indeed our relatives. If we contemplate them we cannot help but realize things about ourselves. Our existence on this planet is a problem to animals as our lower neighbours or relatives. It is a problem to be solved with the sense that our use of animals should be humane and our conscience for their service.
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Why are we living comfortably while the treatment of many of our animals regresses to the standard of the 6th Century. We must not respect a desire to needlessly torment animals because some hallucinating elements did it years back or people in high places savour it. Let them cry persecution if we stop them from committing acts of cruelty to animal if they want.
These days, the clamour for the rights of animals has assumed notoriety that gay and women rights were some years back. What the world did to obstinate from tormenting women and gays should be done to achieve deserved respect for animal rights. We must advance human kindness and conscience for the welfare of animals for they value to our existence.
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Every civilization has in it seeds of destruction. Majority of sharks are captured for their highly prized fins used for Asian medicine and aphrodisiac properties live sharks’ fins are sliced off, thrown back into the ocean and die of starvation or drowning. What a cruel and wasteful practice! Little did these wicked souls know that shark fins have been found to contain a high concentration of mercury, which can cause sterility in man.
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It is a pity that man having been placed in charge of earth is in many cases responsible for its destruction of and ruin. Tremendous devastation has occurred in a short time of my life. Many species are already extinct and a number has changed from threatened to critically rare. Man’s actions have violently severed the crucial partnership existing between plants and animals. This disturbing news is a reason for concern.
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Not only can wild animals make forests come alive in our minds, their presence indicates that the ecosystem is healthy; supporting thousands of wildlife species endangered species flagship role is a perfect symbol for forest conservation, the perfect link between saving our planet and saving species. We have little time, for either the planet or its wildlife. If we are to succeed, top-level political will is mandatory.
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Earth the crucible of plant, man and animal bringing glory to the Creator. The unraveled mysteries and wonders of earth are enormous yet man unjustifiably wastes nature’s gifts in his care. The biological function of the marabou’s (bird) pouch, the elephants’ ritual for a dead member, vociferous cat’s mating, multitude of animal species unknown to science are mysteries. Man’s curiosity may reveal all this but not when they are extinct.
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The estimated population in wild of tiger is 5,000 from about 100,000. Orangutan about 20,000, red-crowed crane about 2,000.These animals are in the brink of extinction with threats from poaching, poisoning, habitat loss, population isolation, prey destruction, deforestation, low productive rates, forest fires, logging, smuggling, pet trade, destruction of breeding habitat, pollution, collisions, livestock grazing. If this tragedy grieves you, how much God feels about it when all the animals in the forest are His?
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Protecting both the planet’s wildlife and its fragile environment on which we all depend ought to be the urgent tasks of any God-fearing being. We cannot be oblivious of the plight of the planet’s embattled wildlife otherwise we can imagine that we are about to face an unspeakable tragedy of loss of human survival and of God’s punishment for bringing to ruin his own handwork. Pollution already endangers mankind in different ways. If the pollution crisis were to weigh heavily upon the human heart much more would it be felt by God who crated “the seas, the sky, forest and all that is in them”.
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God designed earth’s creatures with distinctive attributes and qualities, which man may not fully comprehend. The wondrous design of animal brings happiness, pleasure, and delight to the hearts of man. The appealing Zebras’ stripes, behavioral strategy of bees, killy-loo bird’s flight are marvelous for life. Our conservation sprit must be moved by God’s wisdom for their purposes. Sadly, greed often stymies sincere efforts to conserve our plant’s resources.
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We must always believe that mankind ought to respect the environment and treat nature with dignity. It is part of our collective responsibility to expose threats to the existence of animal species. We must not only protest against abuses of animal rights and deterioration of their habitats but also offer suggestions as to how to remedy the situation.
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Reportedly, 1 in 4 or 24% type of mammal alive on the Earth today is stalked by extinction placing it at a high risk of extinction over 11,000 species of plants and animals. Man in driving other creatures to the brink of extinction is jeopardizing the chance for survival quickly. We are tinkering with our life-support system as we drive species to extinction. This is galling! The globe will not survive with our biodiversity in captivity.
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God allows us to kill animals for food and clothing and to protect against harm. However, life is sacred to God. Our dominion over the animals must be exercised in a balanced way that shows respect for life. Obliviously, animals are to be cared for and guarded, not exploited arbitrarily.
It is dangerous to show man too dearly how much he resembles the beast without at the same time showing him his greatness. It is also dangerous to allow him too dearly a vision of his greatness without his baseness. It is even more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both. Man and animals are neighbours on earth.
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O lord, deliver us from the man of excellent intention and impure heart for the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. A wicked person may vocally express love for animals but his “mercies” at best are actually cruel His actions betray the selfish motive he has in mind. How true this is of those who pit one animal against another in hopes of winning money!
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In 1997 is remembered as the year the World caught fine. Serious fires burned in every continent except Antartica. Valuable woodlands in Indonesia and Brazil equal to the land area of Switzerland were consumed. Causes range from deliberate land clearing for agricultural purposes to drought which is thought to be the result of weather extremes caused by EI Nino. The resulting high levels of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels add to air pollution and increase the danger of global warning- World Wide Fund for Nature International Forest programme.
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Imagine the devastation that would result if a fire razed your home. All your treasured possessions would be lost. Life becomes unbearably difficult. That is essentially what has happened to many wildlife habitats. Abuse of animal rights has led to the loss of habitats. Human being the greatest threat to wildlife survival can be friendly to the residue of their habitats and maintain their continued existence.
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Still many who have pitted animal against animal in the name of sport do not view themselves as perpetrators of animal cruelty. Some claim to love animals they brutally cause to suffer or die. Ram lovers claim to make their rams special and enjoy good care so as to sell the ram that wins for 250,000 or more, a ram bought for N40, 000 or less. Enjoyment indeed! If government fails again, God will stop it.
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The challenges for the future appear formidable without saving vanishing species and assurance of responsible care of our planet. Do we know much about animal species that if one is lost; we know what has gone in terms of its potential for food and medicine. Wildlife species form knots in the net. How many knots man can cut before the net ceases to function? What right does our generation have to take options away from future generations by not handing over the species we inherited and hold in trust for them? The world over, human-friendly endangered animals are let and/or exchanged for breeding. May animal species are mild tempered and form relationship with humans easily. Snow leopard, Dolphin, water buffalo are fascinating in this category, yet they are threatened. Nigeria should do what Finland does to snow leopard, china to giant panda and as, Brazil to water buffalo, Australia to dolphin all to maintain a genetically healthy animal population. But how much do we know about our animal species?
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For years, Nigerians have cut down their forests, over grazed their pasture land and hunted some of wild animals to the point of extinction. No unspoiled habitats remain in the regions beside the few conserved refuges of the ecosystem. Sadly, conserving the precious wildlife in the National parks and game reserves is now a major concern of the park authorities. What hope for the survival of the unique sanctuary of Nigeria’s wildlife?
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Constant deforestation in the tropics predicts doom for the sustenance of wildlife resources. Of the 500 million species of plants and animal that existed on earth, only about 2 million are in Nigeria. Elephants and buffalo are nearing extinction due to the catastrophic effect of deforestation and desertification. Let us cherish and save our heritage.
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Nigerians should implicitly recognize the need for and virtue in preservation of wildlife. As changing the conditions of human and animal interaction became imperative through the law so do people’s conscience in ensuring the sustenance, welfare and well being of animals and their habitats. These, the animal rights seek to protect.
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Birds are good indicators of all forms of biodiversity and health of environment. Timing of farming activities in many rural communities is closely linked with the migratory movement of rain bird which serves as a natural calendar for rural farmers to start land preparation at the right time. No specie must be lost again.
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Long journey places great strains on animals’ digestive systems. Calves suffer missing meal and not equipped to withstand stress. Their energy demands are high for their size and have no reserves of fat on which to draw energy. The inconvenience is avoidable.
Ponder, too, about the potential benefits that undiscovered species may hold for mankind. It has been estimated that 120 of the top 150 prescription drugs used in USA come from natural compounds. We must stop losing species for the sake of our own needs and uses.
Who can tell what surprises and lamentations await man if he ever gets a chance to explore the life hidden in the forests? Every time we lose specie, we lose a potential cure for Aids.
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It is all too frequently assumed that fauna conservation is contrary to African interest. The cry of conservation has led to the false assumption that in this day and age, wild animals are some strange anachronism and can be preserved only under artificial conditions. Nothing could be more misleading or inaccurate than this fake assertion. Conservation is itself a legitimate human interest.
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What a vast variety of animals there are, each with diverse personalities and attributes! Animals of all kinds respond to care and attention. Love and compassion for them can be a factor that draws one to God.
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Nigerians should embrace preservation of tropical forests without reservation. The majority of world’s animal species and immense variety of plant are found in the tropical forests. A large proportion of modern medicines are developed from tropical forests. The diversity of life in the forests is likened to a living library in which most of the books are yet to be opened.
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Conversely, cattle overgrazing in sanctuaries and reserves is depriving the wildlife of their legitimate food and passing on diseases of their sick and starving cattle to healthy wild animals which lack immunity to the morbidities of domesticated animals. This is a terrible problem! Hundreds of thousands of these animals are ruining grasslands everywhere. Nomadic Nigerians should watch out.
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Our mode of transportation and slaughter of animals is a scandalous example of the total disregard of people towards animal life. Laws must be enacted and enforced to regulate the number of cows laded anyhow into a lorry. The lamentable suffering of those animals, which are twisted and strangled with ropes while crushed and cramped in the back of a vehicle is a sad commentary on our attitude to animal rights.
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Animals Rights has to do with ethics of flora and fauna utilisation by man. It determines how man ought to use the biosphere for the benefit of mankind as a whole. Game as element of nature is seen to have value whether of an economic, cultural or aesthetics nature. Forests on the other hand serve as genetic reservoir of diversity of life which if destroyed; information base may be lost forever.
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Ignorance of law is doing far more than devastating the hope of a better Nigeria. Ram fight which is not only cruel but criminal was recognised as a legitimate object in the registration of Ram Lower/Owners Association by Corporate Affairs Commission. Worse still, it was approved by the Sports Council (federal and state) as traditional game. Section 495 of criminal code and S.207 of Penal code should prevail upon the regulatory bodies.
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Barely century ago, extensive Nigeria areas were still the exclusive realm of wild fauna. Extension of human settlements confined them to restricted areas yet in some areas game has been accused of carrying most cattle disease and even some human infections. In the face of such argument, systematic destruction has taken place in numerous areas.
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The world’s forest and woodlands which covered some 4.2 billion hectares by 1978 dropped to about 4 billion hectares in 1980 and 3.9 hectares by 1984. Today, we drink, breathe, smell and see pollution. Instances of unnecessary clearance of vast areas of planetary dimensions abound. We must arrest the holocaust. Nigeria has a great role to play.
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Reported on page 55 of today’s Guardian the detention by SARS of one Lukumon Tijani on 19/8/10 leaving behind his porker hungry for 15 days now. Little did the police know that section 498 of the Criminal Code provides that where owner of an animal is arrested, the police have a duty to take charge of such animal till the Court directs delivery of the animal to the owner and the costs of its care recovered from the owner as fine.
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Apart from flourishing bush meat in central and West Africa, the booming demand in East Asia for traditional medicine calls for concern. In Nigeria, the shameless display of vermin for sale on highway as a result of savage role of poachers who have shut down their conscience is pathetic. Efficacy of our Endangered Species Act is called to question.
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Often, the rural environment is sacrificed to meet the demands of the city. Tree cut is sold faster than it grows. Sadly, the feeble political will and attention have been slow in breaking the cycle fostered by deforestation in Nigeria. Population growth has defied solution. Tomorrow’s parents outnumber today’s parents for tomorrow’s parents are already born. Let be disoriented from the sorry past and move with the world.
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The decline of big game like tigers, whales, elephants with their ecological roles is due to ruinous hands of man. For example, jaguars, the top rain forest predators help control population of smaller mammals feeding on fruits of forest trees. In the absence of jaguars, smaller mammals increase, over-harvest the forest fruits and stifle the regeneration of certain tree species. Save game to preserve our forests.
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On education, the sparrow from the moment of leaving the nest, begins to manifest its bright and joyous disposition by singing merrily all day, no matter how inclement the weather nor how scanty its supply of food teaching us a lesson of contentment more effectually than could some of our greatest philosophers.
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The time has come for Nigerians with intense and deep seated love of the earth to change their destructive attitude and enjoy the exhilaration of wild places and realise more and more than unless progress walks in harmony with game management, it can be little more than a superficial veneer. Let us protect our forests and conserve our rich wildlife.
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The notion that animals possess intrinsic rights is gaining popularity. Even though most rights are relative, there is the absolute right of animals to humane treatment and consideration by man’s new understanding of his own status on earth. This is for our own good.
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According to World Wildlife Fund in 1970, there were about 65,000 black rhino in Africa. Today, there are fewer than 2,500. The drastic decline was due to the ruinous hands of poachers who have slaughtered rhino for their skin and horn. We can collectively end the selfishness of the prodigal sons of Africa by rejecting with ignominy the patronage of the animal trophies notwithstanding the purpose they are meant to serve
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Gas flaring is inelegantly rolling across the nation’s environment, gradually the ecosystem culminating in climate change and the speaker of the house being accused of neglect in the review of their version for harmonization of Gas flaring prohibition and punishment and punishment Bill after the Senate’s review of same since 2009 remains unperturbed by this sad commentary. Where are we at 50?
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Today, World Rabies Day preaches regular vaccination of our pets – dogs, cats etc, against rabies infection with it attendant terminal disease. Rabies infected pet becomes nightmare to neighbours and unnerving sight to newcomers. Give no chance to neighbours to give your dog bad name so as to hang it. Every animal has the right to consideration and good treatment. Article 2(c) of Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.
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Alas! Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN reportedly gave nod to Ram Sports Clubs to stage ram charging competition as trado-sport in Somolu LGA and Amuwo Odofin LCDA. Oga BRF “legis ingnoratium non excusant”. Ram fight is a criminal offence and learned senior like our brilliant Governor with successful administration should not to be seen to have aided illegality/criminality verifiably asserted in the Newspapers.
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In Nigeria and elsewhere, human population swells, wildlife habitat decreases and in some cases vanishes, resulting in frequent and often violent Humans/Animals contact. The animals have not changed; our attitude has, unjustifiably though. Nevertheless, let us treat all animals with respect and spoil less the tranquility of their beautiful place throbbing with life.
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Today being the World Tourism Day and the theme “biodiversity” most apposite. How has Nigeria’s ecotourism fared in the last 50 years of independence? Yankari National Park the best in the country had its visitors inflow charts from 1985 to 1996 nose-dived from 20,000 in 1985 to 8,000 visitors in 1996 while Kenya’s visitors increased from 6,000 in 1952 to 328,00 in 1972 and has been on the increase.
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In Nigeria, poverty which has been identified by government and people as a critical problem of our time is a fundamental vice of wildlife conservation and management. Threat of poverty with its ugly face of a female farmer eking out a living from an arid and unforgiving landscape should be dismissed as a panacea for callous attitude towards controlled harvesting of wildlife which is the aim of Animal Right.
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The delightful sight of predators running after prey in the wild against the backdrop of glittering city skyscrapers and the heavily polluted urban Nigeria is soon forgotten. Although, earth has natural ability to heal itself when giving sufficient respite, our intense occupation in the repair of the damage done by decades of habitats destruction and wildlife over exploitation is desirable. Respect for animal rights offers a lasting solution.
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The principle of healthy environment is that the noise of vulgar fame of modern civilization should never trouble the cloistered calm of flora and fauna. Hence, environment is called healthily when humans are at peace with it, otherwise, humans will be called “Civilized” and forfeits the respect and benefits Mother Nature holds for us just as it puts us on collision with the wrath of the Creator of the battered earth.
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Nature is profoundly concerned with the survival of species. Conservation of animal species is one of the badges of civilization. Animal rights are the fallout of the propensity of the two. The present trend of battered Earth deserves a serious attention of man. Where man is not, nature is barren.
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After hitting 2 billion mark, the UNEP at Copenhagen in 2009 flagged off 7 billion trees campaign of one man one tree launched in Kenya in 2006 to address climate change. Daily, elephants and gorillas disperse some 7 billion seeds when eating fruits and seeds, the seeds pass through their system and are in this was ready for germination.
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Pollution is neither a modern phenomenon nor peculiar to man, and may indeed precede him. Pollution by man in 20th C leads to habitat loss through conversion and fragmentation of forests. Nigeria’s wildlife resources are threatened by the vanishing effect of pollution. Up to 1/5 of all lung cancer deaths in cities are caused by tiny partials of pollution. Embrace GREEN PLANET and invest in forests today.
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Life is one. All beings have a common origin but diversified in the course of the evolution of the species. Beings possess natural and specific rights. The contempt and ignorance of these rights cause serious damage to nature and crimes against animals. The co-existence of species implies recognition of ANIMAL RIGHTS by man and the respect for their rights is inseparable from the respect of man for one another.
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If you have the means to plant a tree starts digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give oxygen. They are an integral part of atmospheric exchange cycle on earth. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime-one here, one there gathers a multitude.
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Reverberating crack of unconscionable hunters’ gun sent the great herds of quagga that once cavorted across Africa to the abyss of forgotten nature’s gift. The chances of ever seeing the half zebra, half horse animal ended in an Amsterdam zoo on 12/08/1883 when the last of the exotic creatures died. Recovery programme of this sub specie of Burchell’s zebra is a mere cry is the wilderness as many species do not stand a similar chance of retrieval. What a tragedy!
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Biodiversity is the keeping of as many plants and animals as possible functioning in their natural habitats. If half of all the species on Earth disappear new sources of scientific information will be lost. Vast biological wealth will be destroyed. Time is fast approaching when God shall bring to ruin to running the earth.
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In all, there are only an estimated 6,000 to 9,000 of Bengal tigers left in the world. Poachers usually kill magnificent animals with poisoned bait sometimes wiping out cubs along with mother tigers. Poachers these days are after more than the beautiful skins. The bones of the tigers are used to make “tiger bone wine” Poaching and winning, a combination of two evils. Motivated by greed! Omuti ohun arinadegbo okanunkaun.
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A lot of things are bad but we have to realise where things are good and where there is hope and to capitalize on that. Living in harmony with plants and animals is not only good, there is hope in the conservation of endangered species and wild places. We need to capitalize on the imperishability of their values to humanity.
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Marine animals use natural sonar to communicate military sonar interferes with this natural sonar. Whales and dolphins are deafened by the boisterous noise from shipping and drilling. A U.S judge found in favour of campaigners against the use of the devises and being ordered harmful to marine mammals the U.S Navy not to use mid-frequency sonar during training exercise from 2007-2009. What a precedent to follow in the fight against ram fight in Nigeria.
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In 2002 and 2006, of 54 whales including bottle-nosed whale stranded in Britain not one survived. In November 2010, 33 pilot, whales were found dead on the breach. The welfare of whales triggered the action of RSPCA that stranded whales should be humanely put down rather than rescued as the hapless creature have little or no chance of survival once they are trapped on the shore or in shallow waters. That is what animal rights is all about.
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Arizona’s Pinal County Animal care and control staff was placed on administrative leave for wrongly euthanizing a dog that recued 50 U.S soldiers serving in Afghanistan from suicide bomber by in February 2010. The staff ignored the procedure for euthanasia. What an undeserved death of “Target”- the Afghan war hero. Animal rights demand use of conscience for the service of animal.
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Arizona, a product of desertification heralded by man’s destruction of rain forest and wildlife witnessed a considerable human settlements plagued by problem of water shortage where channelization of Colorado River to meet Arizona’s water supply failed, the enforcement of U.S Endangered Species Act protecting the animals and their habitats worked. Living in harmony with nature’s gifts is beneficial.
“Ida nba ile ara re je, o ni ohun ba eeku ja”
“Sword destroys its house fighting the scabbard”
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There are about 12,000 – 15,000 cheetahs left in the world. The number of tigers in the wild has fallen from 100,000 a century ago to just 3,200. We do not even know how many species there are in the world. We probably only recognize 1/10 but due to environmental pollution, abuse of animal rights and other vices attendant to man’s ruinous hands, more species are becoming extinct all the time. It is woeful and tragic.
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Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystem to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted. Deserts take up 41% of the earth’s surface Yearly world-wide economic loss due to desertification is estimated at $42.3b.
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Ghashaka – Gumti National Park has over 30 species of large and small mammals, out of 55 species of fish recorded, 15 are not determinable to species, 5 are new to science and endemic to Nigeria. Out of 8 butterflies identified, 5 are new to science. What an amazing wildlife discovery in the nation’s savannah. Imagine the nation’s wealth and resources saved from man’s ruinous hands.
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Man destroys his food supply when he destroys the forests. Extinction of flora wipes out wild relatives and decimates number of strain within cultivated crops. So also the progenitors of domesticated animal 25% of medicines are derived from plants. Finland forests host some 50 species of edible wild berries. Forests support all life.
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An Australian freed from death row his dog that mauled a neighbour’s dog, left his family, fled, arrested, and pleaded guilty and jailed for 6wks for flouting Court’s order to return the dog. He claimed that the love for his dog’s welfare motivated his actions. What a championship of affection and loyalty!
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Riches are good and royalty is dignifying but the best of humanity consist of those whose hearts are open to only one principle- survival and sustenance of harmonious relationship between man and animal. It is almost the only way left open to religionists nowadays to gain the crown of martyrdom in this sinful world.
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Let our actions be ignited by concern for the welfare and well being of the God’s hapless creatures. Not to the impure heart and minds which surrender to impediments but bears it out even to the edge of doom. This requires discipline and commitment no matter the cost.
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In our modern world of shrinking forests and exploding human populations we must be passionate about moving heavens and earth to ensure that the endangered animal species still roam through the world in the 22nd Century. Their presence does not only make forests come alive in our minds but indicates that the ecosystem is healthy, supporting thousands of wildlife and species of plant.
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The synergy between conservation and development is inevitable. Real political connection to strengthen the two is a necessity. There is little hope for the sustenance of animals, the forests and ultimately, the Earth if we cannot save the endangered species, these creatures with power, grace and beauty have captured our hearts and imaginations for centuries. What then can we save?
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Deadly trade in animal trophies is common. Regularly, tiger bones and skulls are seized by police in Indonesia and skins confiscated in Tibet. Conservation effort around the world is thriving with the hope of steady improvement. The Nation’s wildlife is dwindling catastrophically fast. We must move with the world otherwise we remain static whilst the world goes on.
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Nigeria should be famous as a nation of animal lovers who turn doe-eyed and gooey at the sight of any fury creatures. Animals are minorities of our environment. Our consistent position should be to oppose viciousness against these minorities, and to oppose viciousness by these minorities.
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To say animal does not suffer pain is ridiculous. Prevailing scientific consensus confirms slashing the throat of a conscious animal causes very significant pain and distress. Slashing throat of animal without numbing or staining is a crime in Britain. Spain and Newzealand banned it in year 2010. Muslims and Jews may give religious excuse but conscience must be alive to stop this barbarity.
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Should the plight of animal species concern us? It may be difficult to feel the same sympathy for wild animals as we might for our fellow human beings. However, we can advance the sprint of imagination as the principal means of exciting love and the greatest secret of morals. Man must intensely and comprehensively imagine the pains and pleasures of animal species even if the attainment appears imperfect.
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Animal species must be treated with respect and conserved ungodly time should be over by now we must recognize the vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats’ and their sustainable harvest. Our fauna remains in peril and God may not allow wanton abuse of his majestic creation much longer.
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Of the more than 300 shark species, 62 are now threatened with extinction. Mexico harvests over 30,000 tons yearly for fining. Shark is under attack by man as man eater. Nigeria has no shark data collection but out of 75 unprovoked shark attacks on human about 10% are fatal. Yet more deaths are caused by bee stings and crocodiles than by shark attacks. Once this tear some but indispensable creature is depleted, the replacement takes years due to the snowless in birth rates, maternity and long gestation periods 100 million sharks caught yearly put together would encircle the globe give times.
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A visit to the amazing and diverse assets in our national parks and game reserves is imperative. We need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, seeking nature’s therapy for jangled nerves in the solitude of the forests. The thrilling memory of this gives impetus to the conservation measures of the nation’s wildlife and conscience for the service, welfare and sustainable yield of animal species.
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As a result of hunting and loss of pastures, przewulski’s horses became extinct in the wild in the 1960’s. Presently approximately 1,1000 przewulski’s horses line in captivity in various zoos and parks. Scientists are trying to reintroduce these animals into the wild. Thus, 21 przewulski’s horses were shipped back to Mongolia in 1992/93.
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Unprotected species are disappearing fast. We must focus specifically on conserving those places where we find high concentration of threatened endemic species. Our present system of limiting our conservation goals on National parks and Nature reserves is not only politically attractive but grossly inadequate without extending the frontiers to the unprotected areas and illicit trade in the species of animals on the international black market. The government needs to do more than being insensitive to the plight of animals in the unreserved areas.
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We are taking too much of everything from animal habitats. The outlook for wildlife is tied to the future of the forests and the oceans. These habitats are clearly under threat from human activities. Will animal hastily unpleasant utilization by many species be lost in the jarring symphony of human progress!
There must be goodwill among people our duty is to make more people care about the earth’s forests and oceans’ resources. To stem the tide, legal measures are required to make the wildlife ecologically sustainable.
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Dry season means months of cloudless skies, suffocating heat, and scorched, brick-hard earth. Rivers disappear, trees shed their leaves, the wind blows hot and dry, and farm animals roam free in search of whatever meager vegetation they can find. Forests dry up, burnt and habitats destroyed. Game easily hunted. In harsh weather we need to care for them. Animals get used to the people who care for them, change that callous attitude today.
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All creatures are for human good and development. But before waging war upon any animal, let us study its habitats. Not all bees are aggressive carniolan bees not only gentle but busier and industrious unlike the average bee, they leave their hive early in the morning to have time to bring home more nectar for making honey the sweet product of their labour. What a symbol of industry and practical wisdom! Humans can identify with this reputation of hardwork as the Slovenians would say “watch the bees, and follow suit”
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Theodore Roosevelt made conservation of flora and fauna a moral imperative than political issue in America. He warned more than a half century ago that “To skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed”. Our future depends on wildlife.
Animals must be protected not simply because they represent an economic value, nor because the pain they endure offends our sensitivity or emotion, nor even because they are part of our environment but because they are living sentient beings which must be protected from humanitarian reasons precise legal protection and lead to a greater respect for the interests of animals.
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He who causes two blades of glass to grow where only one grew before is a benefactor of human race. With this right attitude our planet will soon turn into a beautiful place for wildlife and upright people to inhabit forever.
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In the 1875 case of Phelps v Racey. The New York’s Court of Appeal in sustaining the conviction to gave dealer, it concluded “The legislature may pass many laws the effect of which may be impaired or even destroy the right of property. Private interest must yield to the public advantage. The protection and preservation of game has been secured by law in all civilized societies and may by justified on many grounds, one of which is for purposes of food.
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It is true that, to some extent, an interference with the natural regulations of the animal creation is necessary to the progress of civilization. Man appropriates to himself the food of many animals but as they continue to devour this wherever found, he must therefore sometimes destroy them or lose this property. But before waging war upon any animal, let us study its habitats.
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Nature is not remotely interested in the survival of the individual but is profoundly concerned with the species. It is this fundamental law of Nature that the conservationist strives to emulate. This does not imply advocating the adoption of a callous attitude forwards animals nor does it amount to support for slaughter to satisfy a blood lust but it does mean that the problems confronting Nigeria’s fauna will not be solved in an aura of emotionalism or sentimentality.
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Animal species have been devastated by poachers for aphrodisiacs for the rich and the foolish. Jungle homes of animals will all disappear in 30 years unless humans take drastic action. Security measures on areas of most important animal refuge largely disturbed remain haphazard. The shrinking habitat has caused a sharp decline in wildlife population Government needs to draw up recovery plans to reverse the devastation.
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Not all animals are fascinating in captivity. Animal show is a spectacle to be enjoyed in the wild with colourful appearances and maneuvers that are hugely entertaining. The quality of zoos at home has been on the decline. Yet, wild animals in captivity are agitated, stressed and felt isolated. They are forced to endure a rather novel set of experiences incompatible with their rights and habitats. Nature tastes sweetest. Activities in the wild include game drives, bush walks, champagne breakfasts, day trips to parks, horseback riding, and birding, boating and fishing. Throw a fish high and the fish eagle seized it mid-air. The exhilaration is better experienced than imagined.
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The state of our animal habitats speaks volume of the way human have handled their stewardship of the earth. We have not taken the vulnerability of the wildlife into serious consideration. Hunting has put many animal species in danger of extinction. Conservation culture and respect for animal rights will help rehabilitate several threatened animal species.
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Animal species and their habitats are Nature’s gifts to be treated well. They are neither given to us by our parents nor inherited from our ancestors. They are loaned to us by our children. Must we wait till the last tree is cut or the last river is poisoned and the last fish is caught before we realize that they are borrowed items to be surrendered to our children. Nothing can change this understanding .Life cannot, death cannot.
Treat the Earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
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Forests receive death stroke from war and peace. During peace the population increased, herds of livestock overgrazed the delicate green cover, timbers overharvested. In war times, trees are chopped down for siege and game necessary for the maintenance of the forests hunted. War a curse, peace a bliss but our peace should not disturb the cloistered calm of the forests.
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Almost 2/3 of the forests that covered the earth before human civilization began making inroads have now disappeared that the clearing of woodlands to provide timber and arable land decimate plant and bush burning and animal species. Deforestation in this decade has increased to the point where countries like ours could soon be without any natural forests. It is possible for anything capable of being imagined has the tendency of truth.
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What an irony! Regular scouring of the breach upsets its delicate ecological balance. The key to a health beach is the strandline, where debris which includes trees, algae, grass, dead animals all mixed with sea wood. The strandline provides food for birds, voles, mice, hares, foxes, etc. Clean a beach, destroy its ecology Beach lovers watch out!.
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At least 225,000 birds worth $50million at retail are either smuggled or imported with fraudulent documentation each year. Parrots which are said to be in immediate danger of extinction in the wild are caught and sold for a few dollars. 90% of the birds smuggled die in transit because of improper feeding and inhumane conditions. Thus man’s inhumanity is incompatible with animal rights. Stop birds smuggling today.
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The debris of civilization litters the forests and spoils the beauty of Nature. Conservation of flora and fauna is not only for man’s enjoyment but for man’s survival. To skin and exhaust the animal habitats instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness resulting in undermining the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.
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The conservation of the Nation’s flora and fauna translates to the protection of our natural heritage for the enjoyment and enrichment of all the families of over 140 million Nigerians. The conservation work is the work that never ends. It must be taken up anew by each succeeding generation acting as trustees for the next.
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The human population of the world is now increasing at an unprecedented rate but it appears difficult for the developing countries to make sacrifice for the control of the vices such growth has on loss of wildlife. The natural resources of the world are not inexhaustible. Not only must we have the material to feed, clothe and shelter ourselves, but also a healthy environment to live. Nigerians, watch out.
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History of man is full of indications of the significant role which animals have in his development and life. In spite of this, man’s inhumanity to animal remains strong and unabated. The tragic loss of biodiversity is largely due to the ruinous hand of man. Today, man’s abuse of animal rights is dealing a devastating blow to the survival of animal.
*
The unprecedented upsurge in human population is swiftly and inelegantly unrolling across the world in a way that would hardly have been thought possible in the beginning of a century ago. Almost irredeemable destruction of the natural forest and its resources are most manifest in the developing countries with Nigeria contributing to a sizeable proportion of the sad development.
*
Destruction of animal habitat has been the most decisive factor in the catastrophic diminution of Nigeria’s wildlife. The main danger to the forest in Nigeria is from uncontrollable exploitation through forest mining without corresponding investment. Invest in forest today by planting a tree, avoidance of illegal felling, reduction in the length of felling cycles and imposition of minimum felling limits.
*
Current practices towards animals in meat industries, science and fashion are pathetic and cruel. Discrimination practiced by humans against animal species is likened to racism condemned by most intelligent and compassionate people. It is only logical that people should extend their concern for animal species. Speciesism and racism are prejudices. Showing a selfish disregard for the interest and suffering of others.
*
Animals are biologically related to the other animals and share with them the important qualities of life and sentience. There are no morally reasons for continuing to exploit animals indiscriminately. Recognizing the impracticability of reserving all deserving habitats, it is pertinent to point out that actions which infringe adversely on the integrity of animal habitats should be moderated or regulated.
*
In our modern world of shrinking forests and exploding human populations, some wild animals are still powerful icons of wilderness in terms of emotions and fear they bring to humans. The joy at their fierce beauty and outright fear when in contact with one in the wild are enough reasons we should feel passionately that we must move heavens and earth to ensure endangered species still roam through the forests in the 22nd century.
*
We should begin to calculate cash equivalent values of the services generated by wildlife habitats. Carbon sequestration, watersheds, prevention of soil erosion; these things are now worth billions but they are dry and faceless, difficult to relate to unlike wild animals. Wild animal populations are still declining almost everywhere. Where wildlife habitats are uncontrollably destroyed, billions of naira are lost in the process.
*
Many animal species are critically endangered and some fall victim to the snares of poachers and many to more and more fragmentation of suitable habitats. Earth’s natural environments have been converted mainly because of ignorance of what is being lost and a desire for short term financial gain. Had those habitats been left in their wild state their long-term economic value would have been more. This is a dilemma that should keep us awake at night.
*
The 2004 Red list of threatened species contain more than 15,500 species. The current chimpanzees’ population is estimated at 200,000 compared with some 2,000,000 a century ago. Dolphins’ population declined by more than 50,000 over the last 30-45 years.
We should learn to be a little more clever about how we deal with our natural environment so that we limit the runoff of the animal species that do not usually live and survive in polluted environment.
*
Man ought to be competent guardian of every living creature and of all earth’s vegetation but his activity remains one of the main threats to endangered species. Rather than preserving the delicate balance of nature indispensable for human survival, man continues to compromise it in pursuit of activities inimical to other species. Alas, many animal species are lost with their natural resources that may have proved invaluable for generation to generation.
*
Human thoughtlessness and selfishness degrade, desecrate and destroy the sanctity of sanctuaries of animal species man made toxic chemicals cause immune suppression and reproductive impairment in marine mammals. Reduction in the availability of prey through a combination of environmental changes over exploitation and habitat loss plummets the population of preying animal. This, their creator will not tolerate indefinitely.
*
If the creator notices when a common sparrow falls to the earth, would he not notice when an entire species has been endangered? How comforting to know that the time will come when human society will no longer threaten the existence of any species on earth.
*
Parrots or pelicans, sparrows or flamingos they all go through daily ritual of preening it away. It keeps them clean, free of parasites, that at the feathers maintaining their aerodynamic function, feathers barbs hooks together for an excellent lift by the wings flight feathers and that’s steering feather. Aquatic birds feathers are oiled the tail preen gland as water proof coating. It keeps them healthy. What a lesson for humanity! Health is wealth.
*
Awareness of Animal Rights is an inevitable hit, a galvanizing eruption of environmental energy and a panache that take contemptuous tirades of misuse of flora and fauna beyond the face value. It is the antidote that comes at a time when sustenance of endangered species of animal and the exhilaration of preservation of wild place and wildlife habitats is in the doldrums. Today, Respect the rights of your lower neighbours and have the benevolence of their CREATOR.
*
The evocative and profoundly elegiac sequence of cruelty and indefensible insensitivity to the plight of animals connects man to several abuses of Animal Rights. This transforms the existence of our healthy environment into a sick and preserve of memory for Mother Nature’s anger. How do we explain hungry dog’s attack of their owners? Man’s longest companion and best friend.
*
The truism of the New Nigeria slogan “Good people, Great Nation” would be nugatory and fey until we have Police and Magistrate who would be in sympathy with a law to punish persons for cruelty to animal and unlicenced killing of wildlife. Are we to say Nigerians are good except to animals? Orientation Agencies must create in our minds marked enthusiasm for Animal Rights.
*
The war of ruin and cruelty waged on animal by human more than a century ago was one of aggression, invasion, and rapine marked by perfidy and natural depravity. Having began by savagery, we cannot live by it otherwise we find reasons for taking what is not ours but that of unborn generation. Only respect for Animal Rights appears the only solution to the plundering of our children property by force.
* * * * * * *
Commercial whaling has been banned since 1986 except for research. Japan’s ignoble pro-whaling policy in 2011 in the face of opposition is shamelessly indefensible notwithstanding the excuse of scientific research for whale population data. The excuse is unintelligible. Population data is not done by whale killing except to determine the faddish patronage of its expensive meat in Japanese stores and restaurants. What a sheer display of the earth’s ruin, the perpetrators of which God has vowed to bring to ruin.
* * * * * * *
What an irony! Whilst the euphoria of unprecedented respect for Horses by Military Institution lasted, there came a sad commentary of cruelty to horses and donkeys by unscrupulous and brutal butchers who, on daily basis, indiscriminately kill average of 40 horses and 50-100 donkeys at Obollo – Afor and Ezzangbo markets respectively in Ebonyi, 153-300 donkeys at Eha-Amufu in Enugh and 400 donkeys at Agbor in Delta. Their legs are chained, heads hit with massive stick and the throats slashed after collapse in pain. What irreconcilable legacies at 51!. The donkey population declined from 2 million in the early 80’s to about 939, 107 in 1991 and has, since been on catastrophic decline making it an endangered specie.
* * * * * * *
Hurray! Nigeria, institutions have begun to respect animal when on 23/9/11, the Army in full military honours, laid to rest its White Stallion and regimental mascot of 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna whom soldiers held in high esteem for its assiduousness, orderliness, decorum, loyalty and efficiency in the military ideals. This gesture portends a rare precedent of man’s humanity to animal and victory for Animal Right to dignity in death in Nigeria. What a magic for positive change and lesson for individual!
Akita, a Japanese dog named “Hachito” is adored in Japan for its unalloyed faithfulness. On a fateful day, the dog accompanied its owner to train station in its usual characteristics. The owner never returned but the dog stayed and died after 10 years at the train station (being the place it saw last its owner) waiting for the return of its owner. What a loyalty! Today, start a friendship with mans’ best friend- National Geographical Channel edition of 13/6/2011.
*
Minneapolis police investigated case of animal cruelty of a woman trying to post a poodle-mix puppy in a box with no air holes, food or water, rescued the dog and charged the woman with misdemeanor animal cruelty. To the Nigeria Police, cruelty to animal is a strange anachronism. Is Nigeria immune to the pains of cruelty to animals in the 21st century? Man’s cruelty to animal breeds mans’ cruelty to man.
*
Camera is a fine spectacle of environment. Great cameramen took risk underwater, and on plains and high trees of the wild with irritations from mosquitoes feast, snakes’ bite, hunger, bee’s sting and other challenges to capture wild’s exhilaration. Today, their great works bring the world alive with images resonating with the aura of flora and fauna and constantly remind us of the counterfeit nature of man soiling the beauty of nature.
*
The prevalence of ignorance of Nigerian law amongst public institutions is galling. The Nigerian Television Authority on its AM Express broadcast with ignominy a “bull fight”. Rather than castigating the act as criminal, the presenter ignorantly condoned it drawing inferences from similar cruel acts. Little wonder the CAC conspired with Associations to perpetrate cruelty to animal when it ignorantly registered and kept them in its register.
*
If the infliction of pain on animals during research is to be ethically acceptable, it must be justifiable for the consequential good of humans and animals. The human good must be a serious and necessary good, not a frivolous and dispensable. Otherwise, the argument that pain and distress cause to animal, in acute toxicity is inevitable will be of ten of limited value. Cause no unnecessary pain to animal.
*
Behaviour rather than birth and social standing distinguish hunting. Market hunter shoots that he may sell. Pot hunter kills that he may eat. Sportsman pursues game for pleasure with no profit of his success. Our behaviour to animal life should change. Shooting should not be undertaken except where the state of wildlife and legal order license it. This cannot but make signal contribution to wildlife preservation.
*
In Thailand, there are about 700 legal crocodile farms registered with the Fisheries Department. Thailand boasts of the world’s largest commercial crocodile industry, with some 600,000 of the reptiles being raised for their skin which is used for handbags, shoes, and belts. Its meat, bones and blood are exported to Asia for food and medicine and earn the country about 1.4-1.8 billion baht (46.7-60 million dollars) a year. Nigerian government has achieved nothing with the abundance of crocodiles in the Rivers, Lakes and wetlands across the country. Yet, crocodiles are hunted indiscriminately in Nigeria on daily basis. Nigeria must be alive to the realities of 21st Century.
*

LOST FRIEND

Pedro, a gentle giant.At 8 weeks, an amiable Doctor Francis offered me one of the puppies from his experimental breeding of  mixed Bull dog and Bullmastif.The first puppy named pedro became paralysed when the legs could not hold the body weight and all effort to make him walk by the Doctor proved abortive, hence the euthanasia as the last resort.In appreciation of the love and care shown, the Doctor was magnanimous to give me Pedro in replacement.Now, Pedro is gone today when the whole world is celebrating unique calendar number.It is only hoped that the Doctor will not be discouraged frrom further prosecution of his experiment and , at the end, put Nigeria name on the world map of Dogs' Chart as the third breed coming from the Continent of Africa

NEW! REVISED EDITION- BIBLIOGRAPHY AND APPENDIXES- LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS AND GAME MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.     Balakrishna Shadari – The twilight of India’s wildlife.

2.     Bothwell – Vanishing Wildlife of East Africa.

3.     Darling F. Fraser – Wildlife in African Territory.

4.     David Sperlinger -  Aminal in Research.

5.     FEPA Monograph 1 – The making of the Nigerian Environmental Policy. Edited by E. O. Aina and O. Adedipe.

6.     FEPA Monograph 3 – Environmental Consciousness of Nigerian National Development.

7.     Frank E. Smith – Conservation of Land and Water in United States of America 1900-1970.

8.     George Porter and W. Lane Patter – Notes for Breeders of Common Laboratory Animals.

9.     Howell Davies – Tse Tse flies in Nigeria.

10.    J.O. Fabunmi – Equite and Trust Law.

11.    James A. Tober – Who owns the Wildlife?

12.    Kodinlinye – The Nigeria Law of Tort.

13.    L.B Curzon – Dictionariy of Law 3^rd Edition.

14.    Noel Simon – Between the Sunlight and the Thunders “The Wildlife of Kenya”

15.    Osborne – Concise Law Dictionary 7^th Edition.

16.    Proceedings of the Third International Conference for the Protection of the Funa and Flora of Africa by Commission for Technical co-operation in Africa (CTCA).

17.    R. Magel – Keyguide to Information Sources in Animal Rights.

18.    Smith and Keenan – The English Law

19.    UFAW – Handbook on the Care and Management of Farm Animals.

20.    Wildlife Bulletine of Nigeria No. 1 vol 1, 1973.

21.    Black’s Law Dictionary 7th Edition.

22.    Myers 1988 – Tropical Forests: must more than stock of wood.

23.    M. C. Neely – J. A. Economic and Biological Diversity: Developing and using economic incentives to conserve biological resources.

24.    Eric Duffey – Conservation of Nature.

NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINE

1.     Awake Magazines

2.     Daily Sketch

3.     National Concord

4.     The Economist (Foreign) November 1996.

5.     The Guardian

6.     Times Magazine (Foreign) September 1995.

7.     Concord Newspaper.

8.     Nigerian Tribune.

9.     The Nation.

10.    Find out, Magazine for young people everywhere,

Vol. 8 No 10; Vol. 9 Numbers 3 & 5.

         

APPENDIX 1

WILD ANIMALS IN NIGERIA

ENGLISH NAME               YORUBA         IBO                  HAUSA

Aardrark (ant bear)             Aferimojo                                   Dabgi, daigi

African Python                    Ojola/Ere           Eke Nwohia        Mesa

African Wild cat                  Ologbo oko                Bosi                  Mazurun daji

Antelope                            Etu                      -                    Gayar, maji,

Anubis Baboon                   Akiti                  Apukwu             Birinya

Barbany sheep                                                                   Raga dutse

Bat                                    Adan                 Usu                   Jemage

                                                                                        Beran sama

Black Cobra                        Sebe                         Okokpa nbi                Bakin kumri

Black Colobus monkey                 Edun                 Enwe                Biri mai-rero

Black duiker                       Ekiri                 

Rock hyrax                        Aga                                           Agweda, Rema

Bosman’s potto                   Iki

Buffalo                              Efon                                          Bauna

Bush buck (Haraessed)      

Cane rat (Grasscutter)                 Oya                   Nchi                  Gyabji, gyanji

Caracal (desertlynx)            Dagiri                                        Cirza

Cheetah/Serval Cat             (Idagiri)                                     Argini, cinaki

Chimpanzee                       Elegbede           Ozo                   Biri

Civet Cat                            Ogbo, Eta                                  Alwara, cimolc

Crested porcupine              Oore                 Ebi Ogwu           Beguwa

Crocodile                           Oni                   Aguiyi                Kada

Crowned porcupine             Ekulu                                        Gada

Deer                                 Igala                         Mgbade             Dage, damagere

Dog-faced baboon              Akiti                                          Bika, gogo, yinki

Dorcas gazelle                    Agbonrin                                   Farin Barewa

Drill                                   Aaye obo                                   Kayan kwari

Eland                                Mesia                Alee-Ugwu                 Gwenki

Elephant                            Ajanaku, erin     Enyi                  Giwa

Flying squirrel                    Agako               Owurupe          

Giant rat (ponchedrat)         Okete                Oke ohia            Gafiya

Giraffe                               Agunfon                                    Rakumin dawa

Gorilla                               Inaki,                        Uzodimgba         Katobiri

Guana                               Awonriwon

Gorilla (Black &

        White weased)           Inaki                                         Bodari

Grass monkey                    Ijimere              Enwe

Green monkey                   Aaya                 Enwe

Ground squirrel                  Ikun                                          Buzai, kirege

Hare                                 Ehoro                        Mgbadozo          Zome

Hedgehog                          Lili                                             Bushuya

Hippopatamas                    Erin-omi            Enimiri               Dorina

Honey badger (ratel                                                            Dage, damagere

Hunting dog                       Ogowere            Nkita                 Karen, dawa

Jackal                                Ofafa                                         Dila, karenbiki

Klipspringer                                                                       Gadar dutse

Kob                                   Egbin                                                Maraya

Leopard                             Amotekun          Agu Ele             Damisa

Lion                                  Kiniun               Odum                Zakin

Lynx (wildca)                      Ologboigbo       

Male buffalo                       Ako Efon                                    Kutuku

Maltimammate rat               Eda                   Oke

Manatee                                                                            Ayu

Maxwell’s duiker                         Etu                   Ene                   Gardan kurmi

Hawk                                Asa                                           Mazo

Eagle                                Awodi       

Mone monkey                    Lambe

Mongoose                          Kolokolo                                     Tunku, wasagi

Monkey                             Obo                                          Biri

Musk shrew rat                  Asin                  Nsisi                  Jaba

Oribi                                  Agoro                                        Batsiya

Otter                                                                                 Karen rewa

Pala fox                             Kolokolo             Nkita ohia          Yar rabbi

Pangolin (scaly ant eater)    Aika, Akika         Akubo               Dangi kunya

Patas monkey (Red)           Ijimere              Enwe                Jan gata

Peacock                             Okin                  Tolotolo             Dawusu

Pigmy hippopotamus          Erin-omi                                    Wadan dorina

Rat/Mouse                         Emo                  Oke                   Bera, Kusu

Red fronted gazelle             Agbonrin                                   Barewa, gammo

Red river hog                     Turupu                     

Red-flanked duiker             Esuro                                                Gadan kurmi

Reedbuck                          Etu, Esuro                                 Kajji

Rhinoceros                         Agbanrere                                 Karkande

Roan Antelope                    Abanko              Ene                   Gwanki

Tiger                                         Ekun

Turtle                                Irere

Falcon                               Asa konko

Senegal galago                   Emi                                           Ma           

Senegal hartebeest                                                             Dari 

Sitatunga                           Agbonrin                                   Ragon ruwa

Spotted hyena                    Ikoko, koriko                              Kura 

Tantalus monkey                Aiyalana            Enwe                Baknibiri

Tree hyrax (tree bear)         Ofafa

Tree squirrel                      Okere ori igi/Ase Usa                   Beran bise,

Warthog                            Imado, Turuku           Ezi mpi      Alelen dayi, durugu

Water buck                                Otolo                                         Ambei, daddoka Water chevrotain                Ise                                            Ambei, daddoka

Western hartebeest            Agbonrin                                   Kajji

Wildbeest                          Ira, Kunnugba

White Oryx                                                                                 Mariri

Yellow backed duiker          Gidigi

Red- billed fire finch            Olongo

Sparrow                            Ologose

Pelican                              Ofu

Thrush, mocking bird          Awoko

Kingfisher                          Ako

Canary                              Ibaka

Quelea                              Ega

Parrot                                Odidere, Ayekoto

Senegal parrot                   Aganran

Wild pigeon                        Oriri

Green wild pigeon               Orofo

Partirdge                           Aparo/Lakioro

Senegal lark-heeled cuckoo Elulu        

Swallow                             Alapandede

Woodpecker                       Akoko

Dusky Thrush                    Asoso

                                        Opere- A bird noted for sleepiness

Guinea fowl                        Awo         

Brown singing shrike           Tiantian- A bird so called from its cry

Crow                                         Kannakanna

Woodcock                          Agbe

Pigeon                               Eyele

kingning dore                     Odere koko

Brow Dove                                 Adaba

Tortoise                             Ijapa/Ahun

Alligator                             Anta/Awon/Alegba

Zebra                                Ketekete abila

                         

APPENDIX 2

Decree No 11 of 1985 (Now cap 108, 1990) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria

Endangered species – Animals in relation to which international trade is absolutely prohibited.

        Insectivore

1.           Otter shrew ………………………………………………………Potamogale velox

        Phoeidota

2.     Gaint pangolin……………………………………………………Mains gigantean

3.     Tree pangolin ………………………………………………………Mains tricuspis

4.     Long-tailed tree pangolin ………………………………………Mains longicandata

        Primates

5.     Angwantibo or Golden Potto…………………………………Arctocebus calabarensis

6.     All colobus monkeys ……………………………………………Colobos spp.

        Procolobus spp

7.     All mangabeys……………………………………………………Cercocebus spp.

8.     Chimpanzee …………………………………………………………Pan troglodytes

9.     Gorilla ………………………………………………………………..Gorilla

10.    Drill and mandrill…………………………………………………………Madrillus spp.

11.    Pigmy chimpanzee…………………………………………………………Pan panisius

        Rodents

12.    African palm squirell  ………………………………………………………Epixerus epii

13.    Brush-tailed porcupine……………………………………………………Atherurus Africans

        Carnivora

14.    Lion…………………………………………………………Panthera leo

15.    Leopard…………………………………………………………Panthera pardus

16.    Cheetah…………………………………………………………Acinonyx jubaus

17.    Serval…………………………………………………………Felis serval

18.    Caracal…………………………………………………………Felis caracal

19.    Golden cat…………………………………………………………Felis anrata

20.    Wild cat …………………………………………………………Felis libyca

21.    Spotted Hyaena ……………………………………………Crocuta crocuta

22.    Stiped hyaena…………………………………………………………Hyaena hyaena

23.    Aard wold………………………………………………Proteles enstatus

24.    Wild dog…………………………………………………………Lycaon pictus

25.    Cape clawless otter ………………………………………………Aonys capensis

26.    Speckle throated otter …………………………………………………Lutra maculicollis

27.    Cameroon otter seals………………………………………………… Suborder Pinnipedia

28.    Aardvark …………………………………………………………Orycteropus afer

        Herbivora

29.    Immature elephant ……………………………………………………Loxodonta Africana

30.    Manatee…………………………………………………………Tridhechs senagalensis

31.    Black rhinoceros …………………………………………………………Diceros bicornis

32.    Pygmy hippopotamus………………………………………liberiensis

33.    Giant Eland……………………………………………………Tanrotragus derbianus

34.    Dorcas gazselle…………………………………………………Gazella dorcas

35.    Dama gazelle …………………………………………………Gazella nasomacultaus

36.    Addax ……………………………………………………….…Oryx algazel

37.    Scimitar oryx…………………………………………………Hyemoschus aguaticus

38.    Water chevrotain …………………………………………Giraffa camelopardalis

39.    Giraffe …………………………………………………………Hylochoerus memertzhagenu

40.    Giant forest hog ……………………………………………Cephaloplus sylvicultor

41.    Yellow-backed duiker ……………………………………Tragelaplus spekei

42.    Sitatunga ………………………………………………………Oreotragus oreotragus

43.    Klipspringer ……………………………………………………Oreotragus oreotragus

        Cetacea

44.    Whales ……………………………………………………………Family Baleeno pteridare

45.    Doplhins ………………………………………………………….Family Dephinidare

46.    Porpoises …………………………………………………………Family Platanistidare

        Reptiles

47.    Nile crocodile ……………………………………………………Crocodylus niloricu

48.    Short-nosed crocodile ……………………………………… Osteolaemus tetraspis

49.    Nile monitor lizard ……………………………………………Varanus niloticus

50     Short-tailed monitor lizard………………………………….Varanus examthematicus

51.    Royal python…………………………………………………….Python regins

52.    Rock python……………………………………………………..Python sebare

        Eagles

53.    Falcons, kites, eagles, buzzards………..Family Falconidare Sparrow-hawks, and harries.

SCHEDULE 2

ANIMALS IN RELATION TO WHICH INTERNATIONAL TRADE MAY ONLY BE

CONDUCTED UNDER LICENCE

Primates

Bosman’s potto ………………………………………………………..……..Perodicticus potto

Galagos …………………………………………………………..…………….Calago spp

All monkeys (Except those specified in schedule 1)

Carnivora

Side-striped jackal ………………………………………………………….Canis adustus

Jackal…………………………………………………………………………….Canis aures

Civet  …………………………………………………………..………………..Civetta

Fennec …………………………………………………………..……………. Fennecus zerda

All other foxes

Genets  …………………………………………………………..…………….Genetta spp

Two- spotted palm civet or striped polecat. ………………………Letonyx striatus

All mongooses  …………………………………………………………..Family herpestinae

Exotic Animals

All extocic wild animals

Proboseidea

Mature elephant ………………………………………………………Loxodonta African

Actiodactyla

Hippopotamus …………………………………………………………Hippoptoamus amphibius

Common bush cow ……………………………………………………Syncerus manus

Warthog …………………………………………………………..………Phacochoerus aethiopicus

Red-fronted gazelle …………………………………………………Gazella rufifrony

Western hartebeest …………………………………………………Alcelaplus buselaplus

Topi (Senegal hartebeest) ………………………………………Damaliscus korrignm

Kob …………………………………………………………..…………….kobus (Adenote) kob

Oribi…………………………………………………………………………Ourebia ourebi

Reed buck………………………………………………………………… Redunca  redunca

Mountain reed-buck……………………………………………………. Redunca fulvorufula

Roan ………………………………………………………………………….Hippotracus equines

Water buck…………………………………………………………………kobus defaaa

Aves

Ostrich ………………………………………………………………………..Strictho camelus

Secretary bird……………………………………………………………….Sagittarins serpentarius

African spon bill……………………………………………………………Platalea alba

Hammer kop……………………………………………………………….Scopus umbrette

Abyssinia ground hornobill……………………………………………Bucorvus abyssinicus

Herons and egrets ………………………………………………………Family Ardeidae

Pelicans ……………………………………………………………………. Family Pelicanidare

All storks ……………………………………………………………………Family Ciconiidare

Vultures……………………………………………………………………..Family Aagypiidare

Cranes ………………………………………………………………………Family Balearcidare

Bustards…………………………………………………………………….Family Otididae

Federal High Court has original jurisdiction over the matters in Endangered Species.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Animals and birds which may be hunted, killed or captured (except under a special licence)

Aard Vaak

Aard Wolf

Abyssinian ibex or wali

Abyssinian wolf

Banded Duiker

Barbary stag

Bongo

Chimpanzee

Crested Bush rat

Eland

Elephant

Fossa

Giant sable Antelope

Giraffe

Gorilla

hippopotamus – When found in or on the banks of the rivers and creeks within a radius of fifteen miles of Aboh in so far as such rivers and creeks are situate within the western Region

Madagascar Lamur

Manatee

Mountain nyala or Buxton’s Bush Busk

Mountain zebra

Northern hartebeest or Bubal

Nubian ibex or Bedin

Nyala

Okapi

Otter shrew

Pangolin

Rhinoceros

Water shevrotain

Wild Ass

Yellow-backed Duiker

Abyssinian Ground clough

Africa Broadbill

African peacock

African Yellow-billed swallow

Bald-headed ibis or waldrapp

Buff-racked Heron

Egret

European white stork

Flightless Rail of unaccessible Island

Marabon stork

Northen Secretary Bird

Ostrich

Owl

Rhinoceros Bird

Vulture

Whale-headed stork or shoe bill

While Breasted Guinea fowl

Fishes of the Grottoes of Thysville

SECOND SCHEDULE

Animals and birds which may be hunted, or killed or captured under a visitor or resident non licence.

Species                                                    Number which may be killed

Addra Gazelle (Rufi collis)                                            2

Beira                                                                                 1

Bontebok                                                                   1

*Buffalo                                                                     4

*Buffalo’s Kob (colobus cob)                                                8

Bush Buck or Harnessed Ant                                                4

Colobus monkey                                                         2

Dama Gazelle                                                             2

Dibatag (or) Darke’s Gazelle                                                 1

Dorcas                                                                      2

Duiker                                                                       20

Hartebeest                                                                         4

*Hippopotamus                                                          2

Impala                                                                      2

Klipspringer                                                               1

Oribi                                                                          3

Oryx (white)                                                               2

Reed Buck                                                                 4

Roan Antelope                                                            4

Senegal Hartebeest                                                     4

Senegal or Red-fronted Gazelle                                    4

Situtanga                                                                   4

Warthog                                                                    4

Water buck                                                                4

White- tailed Gnu                                                        1

In the case of the animals marked with a *above the Governor may allow a larger number, not exceeding double that stated to be killed in certain special districts where the particular species districts where the particular species is abundant and the licence will be endorsed accordingly.

Abyssinia Ground Hornbill                                            1

Crowned crane                                                           2

Greater Bustard                                                          2

Greater Kudu                                                             1

THIRD SCHEDULE

GAME BIRDS

Ducks, Widgeon, Mallard

Floricans

Fancolins

Geese

Guinea fowl

Lesser Bustards

Patridges

Quail

Red-eyed and Green Pigeon

Sand Grouse

Rock fowl

Snipe

Teal

APPENDIX 3

LIST OF CONSERVATION BODIES IN NIGERIA,

 INTERNATIONAL AND MULTI-REGIONAL

 ORGANIZATIONS

1.     Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)

2.     Important Birds Area project – Lagos (IBA)

3.     Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)

4.     International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (North Western Zone at Hadejia- Nguru Wetland Conservative).

5.     Savannah Conservation Board – Yankari National Park- Bauchi (SCB)

6.     Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATP)

7.     Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTA)

8.     National Parks Board (NPB)

9.     Drill Re-habilitation and Breeding Home (Cross-River) Boki Local Government.

10.    National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)

11.    Lekki Conservation Centre, Lekki Lagos.

12.    Nigerian Environmental Society (NES)

13.    Nigerian Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA)

14.    Nigerian Conservation Foundational Worldwide Fund for Nation.

15.    Environment Rights Action (ERA)

16.    Nigerian Fields Society (NFS)

GERMANY

1.     World Wildlife Fund

2.     German Airline Conservation Association

3.     German Crane Protection Work Group.

PHILLIPPINES

Protected Areas of Wildlife Bureau

ARGENTINA

Association para la Defensa do los Drechos de Animal

AUSTRALIA

1.     Action for Animals

2.     Animal Liberation

3.     Austrialia and New Zealand Federation for Animal Societies.

4.     Austrialian Assocation for Humance Research.

5.     Vegan Society

6.     Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment.

AUSTRIA

1.     Arbeitskreis gegen Tierversuche

BELGIUM

1.     Chaine Bleue Mondiale por la protection des Animaur et de la Nature- Brissel.

BRAZIL

1.     Sociedale zoofila Educativa – rio de Janeiro

CAMEROON 

1.     Cameroon Biodiversity Conversation Society (CBCS)

CANADA

1.     Animal Liberation Collective- Quebec

2.     ARK II –Toronto

3.     Canadian Federation of Humane Societies – Ohawa

4.     Canadian SPCA – Quebec.

5.     Life force – Vancouver.

6.     National Animal Rights Association – Ontario.

SOUTH AFRICA

1.     Animal Anti-cruelty Leage – Transvaal

2.     South African Association against painful Experiments on Animals.

VENEZUELA

Amigos de los Animales

YUGOSLAVIA

Medobansko Drustro proti mucenju Zirah.

INTERNATIONAL AND MULTI-REGIONAL ORGANIZATION

1.     European Council for Animal Welfare (U.K

2.     Greenpeace – Washington D.C. USA

3.     International Association Against Painful experiments on Animals (U.K.)

4.     International Fund for Animal Welfare (U.S.A)

5.     International Jewish Vegetarian Society (U.K)

6.     International Network for Religion and Animals (U.S.A).

7.     International Primate Protection League (U.S.A)

8.     International Society for Animal Rights (U.S.A)

9.     World Society for the Protection of Animals (U.K)

10.    International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUPN)

11.    International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Switzerland) (IUCN)

12.    World Conservation Fund (WCF)

13.    Joint World Heritage (JWH)

14.    World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

15.    European Nature Heritage Foundation (ENHF)

16.    Wildfowl Trust (WT) – U.K

17.    World Resources Institute (WRI)

18.    Wilderness Society (WS)- U.S.A

19.    General Animal Welfare (GAW)- U.K.

20.    Kindness Club (KC – U.K.

21.    International Whaling Commission (IWC)

22.    Conservation International (CL)

23.    Great Apes Survival Project (GrASP)

24.    Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF)

25.    Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) – U.K

26.    Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species (DISS)

27.    Bird Life International (BLI)

28.    Wetland International (WI)

29.    Chester Zoo Primate Project – U.K

30.    World Conservation and Eco-Tourism Society

31.    Global Canopy Programme (GCP) An organization conorned with directing financial resources into forest preservation.

32.    World Association of 200s and Aquariums (WAZA)

APPENDIX 4

NIGERIA  NATIONAL PARKS

1.     Chad basin National Park (230,00ha)- Maiduguri, Borno State

2.     Kainji Lake National Park (523,000ha) New Bussa – Niger State

3.     Cross River National Park (400,00ha) Calabar, Cross River State

4.     Old Oyo National Park (253,000ha) Oyo, Oyo State

5.     Gashaka – Gumti National Park (586, 00ha) Serti, via Yola Taraba State

6.     Yankari National Park (225,400ha) Bauchi, Bauchi State

7.     Okomu National Park (181 sq km) Arakhuam, Edo State

8.     Kamuku National Park (112 sq km) Nguru, Kano State

PROPOSED NATIONAL PARKS

NORTHERN NIGERIA

1.     Kuyambaria               -       Birni Kebi

2.     Kamuku                     -       Kaduna

3.     Kogo                                 -       Funtua

4.     Sambisa                    -       Bama

5.     Guyba                       -       Damaturu

6.     Lame Burra                -       Toro, Buachi

7.     Ogin Land                 

8.     Pandam                     -       Plateau State

9.     Wase

10.    Nassarawa

11.    Ibi

12.    Part of Borgu             -       Niger State

SOUTHERN NIGERIA

13.    Stubbs Creek

14.    Opara

15.    Ivioda Obi

16.    Udi/Nsukka

17.    Ifon

18.    Ohosu

19.    Part of Ologbo

20.    Akpapa

21.    Obadi

22.    Ghasaka

GAME RESERVES

NORTHERN NIGERIA

1.     Kwiambana Game Reserve

2.     Alawa Game Reserve

3.     Dagida Game Reserve

SOUTHERN NIGERIA  

1.     Orle River Game Reserve

2.     Kwale Game Reserve