The former president, who spoke through the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, Vitalis Ortese, at the opening ceremony of the Wildlife Park and Animal ADOPTION (Animals Depend On People Too), said the name adoption of the animals in the park was aimed at recruiting individual and corporate partners who would support the park in providing the financial resources for the preservation and care of animals that are on the brink of extinction as a result of increased human activities.

The national president, National Association of Zoo And Parks (NAZAP), Dr. Morenikeji Olajumoke, urged the government to brace up to the challenges facing wildlife in the country, hinting that at present, some species face extinction in the country, “and, we must do something to it fast, because of their benefits to humanity too.

“Among the animals that are facing extinction is the Pangolin otherwise known as bush meat (eran ‘gbe). Already in China, we cannot find it anymore and they are shifting attention to Africa, particularly in Nigeria. And this is an animal that eliminates about 70 million pests in our forests annually. So, if we do not quickly address this, the pests will be available to destroy our forests too,” she said.