ELEPHANT WORLD DAY 2020

Every August 12 has been set aside as World Elephant Day since 2011. 

Which is supported by numerous conservation agencies, the day is a time to “spread awareness, share knowledge, and provide solutions for better care and management of both captive and wild elephants,” according to the organizer’s website. 

Elephants have continue to face numerous challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, exploitation, abuse, and proximity to human conflict and poverty. 

On this year World Elephant Day, I will share some phots of how endangered this gentel gaints are.

According to research, Elephant numbers fell dramatically in the 19th and 20th centuries, largely due to the ivory trade and habitat loss. 

While some populations are now stable, poaching, human-wildlife conflict and habitat destruction continue to threaten the species.

If care is not taken, this specie will go extinct with time.

NATURE'S MYSTERY AND BEAUTY

It will amaze you how mysterious God can be with His creations. That is why I can't

help but refer to Him when i talk or share about nature. This is so,because only Him can make such things possible.
He is the author and finisher of all things beautiful.

Just check out this amazing and detailed photograph of a beautiful butterfly with eyes of an owl as wings...isn't it fascinating?

BUDDIES

You had be surprised 😱 to know that Prey and Predictor can be buddies and hangout together 😁

Ain't they cute like that? One of the cutest 😍 animal photos you can come across.

Facts photos and not photoshoped! Taken by brilliant Nature/Wildlife Photographers.

GRATEFUL 🙏 HEART

If animals can show / express a sense of gratitude and a heart of thanksgiving, Who Am I Lord that I won't be mindful of you? Thank you for 2O18, you've been far too kind. #Thankyoulord.

SEA HAWK MIGRATED FROM FINLAND TO NIGERIA.

A bird known as the western Ospery also known has sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk was recently found in Nigeria, Jigawa State precisely.

It was reportedly caught on Thursday October 25th 2018, at Mallam Madori Jigawa State.

A ring bearing some information was spotted on one of its legs. Suggesting it was owned by the University of Helsinki, Finland.

According to a graduate of zoologist Abubakar S. Ringim who posted this on Facebook, confirmed that the bird came from University of Helsinki, Finland.

Available records from the University revealed that the bird was ringed 106 days prior to its caught in Jigawa, and had covered 5808 kilometers during its migration to Nigeria.

He added that the bird was celebrated and was released back into the air at the Baturiya Wetland Reserve in Jigawa.

However, i stumbled on some comments online and trust my dear Nigerians with their sarcasm.

But a particular comment caught my attention. The commenter said, the Jigawa State Government should have added another ring to the bird showing it was in Nigeria.

This I agree to because, it would have added to the history of Nature and wildlife worldwide.

Are kidding me??? Wow!!! Never would have thought 😱

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXeppsnLqG/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=s9tl587bazl

SEA COW RESCUED BY A NIGERIAN FISHERMAN!

So one Nigerian fisher man decided to have sense! His name is Segun Ayenuro. Kudos to him, he deserves accolades🙌 but, i can only offer him a clap👏😁.

Here is the gist, according to the fisher man, he had set his trap for tilapia fish on the Lagos lagoon along Oworonshoki axis of Agboyi ketu Local Council Development Area of the state, on August 26, only to get there and discovered the bigger net used to shield the trap from predators had caught a  SEA COW an endangered aquatic mammal.

He also mentioned that he was advised that the mammal should be killed or sold. Instead, he contacted the State Ministry of Agriculture to come take custody of it, because he learned it has been classified as endangered animal. Now you will agree with me that a well informed fisher man is a sexy one.😜
I hope other fisher men and farmers will learn from him.

It is also to my joy that the Ministry of Agriculture of Lagos State came to the rescue of the animal.
Dr, Olayiwola Onasanya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry , who came for the rescue also affirms that the aquatic, herbivorous  mammal is an endangered specie which

breed a single calf once in two years. And listed by world Conservation Union as specie vulnerable to extinction because of its meat, bones and skin which can bring great wealth to poachers.

Manatee also known as Sea Cow is a large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammal.

Despite it size and stubbly snout, seem cute and cuddly to many ocean visitors.

Found in shallow costal areas and rivers where they feed on sea grass, mangrove leaves, and algae.

Go to the surface of the water every three to five minutes to breathe, although they can remain under water longer, holding their breath for up to twenty minutes.

Replaces its teeth throughout its life.

Extremely sensitive to touch and can differentiate colours.

Manatees have no natural predators in the wild. But humans have played a large part in making risk of its extinction.

DOLPHINS IN NIGERIA ???

I read on social media sometime ago about  Dolphins that were killed in Nigerian waters. So I decided to do my research to find out if truly there are dolphins in Nigerian waters .

Unfortunately, the information was true. These Dolphins were actually  killed in  In two local communities precisely. Order than this ,no other information to ascertain if dolphins actually habits in Nigerian waters.

The communities includes - Brass Local Government in Bayelsa State

and Ibeno Local Government in Akwa Ibom State.

These are water areas in the country with lots of aquatic animals. So it isn't surprising these dolphins found themselves there. Probably they were washed up there by waves or migrated.

However, it is pitiful to discovered that this smart, playful mammal would be hunted until it was caught and butchered by some fisher men. But when I looked at the scenario critically, I came to a conclusion that I can't fault these fishermen and their act. Due to the fact that they were ignorant about this creature, the benefits it can bring to their communities.

And for the fact that, there are no rules or regulations that says they can't fish in these waters nor are there rules that says... some specific aquatic aren't meant to be hunted. They have these rules and regulations in some developed countries that bans human from hunting in some bushes and waters. If caught, you are done for.

 If only Nigerian law enforcement bodies can incorporate some laws that favours NATURE  and WILDLIFE , it will go a long way in NATURE  and WILDLIFE  conservation and preservation. And I thought it is also high time Nigerians starts appreciating NATURE  which is GOD'S GIFT  to human. 

It has also been discovered that Nigeria is amongst the nation that kills small cetaceans not only for food but also for bait, and is now among the most dangerous places on earth for these creature.

Here are some positive comments I found online in respect to the dolphins that were killed. 

"These are creatures you hardly find in Nigeria,yet these ones killed it. Imagine if we had an artificial beaches or pools with these dolphins,wouldn't it be nice?"

"A pity we are not so friendly with some creatures in Nigeria reason why we will always be backward. No respect for humans not to talk of aquatic. So those fishermen do not think of the revenue such a friendly animal will bring. Not sure there should be a reason to slit its throat. Oh, that's their greatest catch in a lifetime I see."

"I never knew we had dolphins in the country...mehn! This is so sad! Look hoe they butchered than wonderful creature into pieces. A creature that can be use for wildlife conservation...smh!!!"

"This shows the amount of ignorance and poverty in the land. Animal that are renowned all over the world for their intelligence and friendliness towards human."

FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOLPHINS.

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•  Nearly 40 species of dolphins swim the waters of the world.
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•  Known for their playful behaviour,highly intelligent. They are as smart as apes and evolution of their brains is surprisingly similar to humans.
  
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•  Dolphins are carnivorous. Fish, squid and crustaceans are included in their list of prey.
  
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•  Dolphins are part of the family of whales. Killer whales are actually dolphins...beware of that one!!
  
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•  Dolphins are very social,living in groups that hunt and even play together.
  
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•  Depending on the species,gestation takes nine to 17months. Surprisingly maternal. They have been observed nestling and cuddling their young.
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•  Dolphins have acute eyesight both in and out of water. But have no sense of smell.
  
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•  Dolphins have few natural enemies. Humans are their main threat...so sad!!
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•  Because dolphins are mammals, they need to come to the surface of the water to breathe.
  
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•  Just like humans,dolphins seem to prefer the company of certain peers more than others...interesting right??
  
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•  Dolphins respond to its own name. Not that dolphins swim around with name tags, but every dolphin has whistles to call out to one another.

Finally, dolphins have been know to rescue humans, so why will same human want to hunt and kill such beautiful, intelligent and amazing creature???

BE INFORMED!!!

WHY KILL ELEPHANTS

Okay, i know this an old gist about a farmer who gun down a huge elephant at Janiyi camp in Ondo State and posed gingerly with the dead animal. Not a nice thing if you ask me!

Although it was gathered that the animal and its group have been causing menace in the community destroying crops but, all the same not a good reason to kill such a magnificent creature, which is a sight to behold.

   
Thank God some Nigerians reacted bitterly towards this act of brutality, saying it was wrong of the farmer to have killed the elephant.  

To my surprise, I didnt know we'v got elephants here in nigeria, all my thought is, they are brought in from other continent to ours. But to my amazement, we actually have elephants that walk in our forests...like wow!!!

Elephants can be found in Omo forest in Ogun State, Idanre forest, Amdoni island in River State.Aside these forests, there are some National Parks and  Game Reserves which  habitat elephants. The likes of Okomu National park in Edo State, the Cross River National Park in Cross River State and the largest and most important elephant herd remaining in the country is located at Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, where an estimated 100-150 elephant survived.

Well, you many be wondering... so what is the benefit of preserving the wildlife aside being used as meat??? They are tourist attraction which in turn generate income into our economy. 

Here is my take, instead of the farmer killing the elephant, it should have been captured and taken to the government which will in turn take it to any park or game reserve as being done in developed countries.

In addition, elephants are the world largest land mammal and i'm sure we dont want them to go extinct! They are characterized by their dexterous trunk, long curved tusks and mass ears.

Yeah i know  ranging elephants destroy houses and properties in search of food. Inspite of that, people shouldnt  hate elephants.And this is so, because humans are encroaching into their territory. Over there, especially in the Asia part of the world, they worship and adore them.

warning:

Attacking elephants kill about five hundred people in a year

If you don't wanna get killed,don't attack an elephant.

BIRDS FOUND IN NIGERIA...

   It will surprise you to know that there are about 940 species of bird in Nigeria, which are classified as ENDEMIC and ACCIDENTAL.
   According to checklist of Birds of the World, Accidental birds are not endemic to Nigeria they just happen to be found here! And amazingly way more than the endemic ones!
    Endemic birds are therefore, birds specifically found in Nigeria, and they are grouped into FOUR namely: 

THE IBADAN MALIMBE

The Ibadan malimbe (Malimbus ibadanensis) is a rare species of Bird.
It is endemic to Nigeria, where it is known only from the southwestern part of the country. It was first discovered in 1951 and was common at one point, but forest clearing made it rare.

Identification

The bird is about 20 centimeters long. The male is black with a red head and breast. The female has smaller red areas.
The bird forages in pairs or small groups, sometimes alongside the red-headed malimbe (Malimbus rubricollis). 

 Habitat

 It lives in forest and woodland habitat, including degraded areas.
 

THE ANAMBRA WAXBILL

The Anambra waxbill (Estrilda poliopareia) is another specie of bird found in wetter land of southern Nigeria.

Identification

The anambra waxbill is approximately 12cm long. This species of a dun-coloured finch with reddish brown bill and rump. If looked at closely, it has very fine barring on it upper parts, sides of breast and flanks, with unusual pal eyes. It has a typical waxbill-like tzzt... call.

Habitat

The Anambra waxbill lives in small flocks of up to 20 birds or more. It appears to be found at southern Nigeria, and is known with certainty from only five reported sightings. It is usually found in long grass along rivers, lagoon sandbanks, marshes, swamps and forest. It feeds principally on grass seeds taken from seedheads.

 ROCK FIREFINCH

The Rock firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis) is another specie found in northern Nigeria. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 29,000 km². The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

 Identification

The Rock firefinch has a blue-grey bill, red back in the male and reddish brown back in the female and juvenile and broad primaries in both the adult and juvenile.

 

Location

It is commonly found in bushy and rocky outcrops on the Jos Plateau. It probably feeds on grass seeds. Yea, think i remember this particular bird while in Jos!!!!

 

JOS PLATEAU INDIGOBIRD

The Jos Plateau indigobird (Vidua maryae) is a species of bird in the Viduidae family. Also endemic to Nigeria.

It lays its eggs in the nest of the rock firefinch which is also restricted to Nigeria. Because of their inability to incubate their eggs, they lay their eggs in the nest of the rock firefinch and then take away the exact number of laid eggs from the host bird in order to avoid suspicion from the host bird . After hatching they exhibit dominance against the hatchlings of the rock firefinchers.

 Their breeding seasons are all round the year but more pronounced during the cold Harmattan period between July and December.

Habitat

Its natural habitats are dry woodland and shrubland in rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.

If you want to know and learn more about the Accidental Birds, keep a date!!!