The Cross River National Park has successfully reintroduced five White-bellied pangolins at the Erokut axis of the park, marking the third batch of such conservation releases.
The endangered animals were intercepted and confiscated in Ikorodu by the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command, during intelligence-driven operations supported by the Nigeria Customs Special Wildlife Office in collaboration with Focused Conservation.
Conservator of Parks, CP Joseph Assam Ntui, commended the Nigeria Customs Service and conservation partners for their sustained efforts in combating wildlife trafficking. He reaffirmed the park’s commitment to collaborating with relevant government and non-governmental agencies to curb illegal wildlife trade and provide safe habitats for rescued species.
Lindsay Maess of Focused Conservation and Dr. Tochukwu Anigbo of Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative stressed the urgent need to protect endangered species like pangolins, warning they face extinction if illegal trafficking persists. Both groups pledged continued support for wildlife protection efforts across Nigeria’s borders.
This latest reintroduction is the third successful release of White-bellied pangolins in Cross River National Park through a joint collaboration involving the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Focused Conservation, Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
