By Doris Esa
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has honoured the traditional ruler of Okun Igando, Lagos, Chief Semiu Jejelaiye, for preventing the killing of a rescued leatherback sea turtle.
Jejelaiye stopped community members from killing the turtle after fishermen caught it, pending the arrival of a wildlife conservation organisation.
The agency also honoured Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for safely returning the turtle to its natural habitat.
Mrs Nwamaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director of Press at NESREA, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
She said fishermen caught the turtle, but Jejelaiye stopped community members from killing it while awaiting the arrival of the conservation organisation.
The leatherback turtle is protected under Nigeria’s National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in Domestic and International Trade) Regulations and Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Presenting the awards, NESREA Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, commended the traditional ruler and community for their swift response and commitment to wildlife conservation.
“We are here to honour you and your community for this act and to tell you that we will use this community as a point of action in advocacy on endangered species,” he said.
Barikor praised Jejelaiye for mobilising community members, protecting the animal from exploitation and promptly notifying relevant environmental authorities to ensure its safe release.
He also commended Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for its public sensitisation and advocacy on wildlife conservation.
Barikor said the leatherback was the largest living sea turtle and classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
He commended the organisation for its prompt response, technical expertise and humane handling of the turtle before its return to its natural habitat.
Barikor said NESREA’s mandate included protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem balance and preventing species extinction.
“I commend you all for your action in supporting biodiversity conservation,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
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