Wilson Adekumola
The residents of the communities in Boki and Akamkpa Local Government Areas of Cross River State have decried the stray gorillas and elephants intimidating them and their means of livelihood.
They also wondered why the animals were beginning to pose threat to the lives of people in the communities, especially older women and children.
The News Agency of Nigeria said the members of the communities expressed their concerns during a workshop on Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply in Calabar on Friday.
It was gathered that the workshop was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development and Wildlife Conservation Society.
A community leader in Boki, Mr Obeten Erasmus who declared that the animals were sometimes friendly, noted that they still pose huge risks to the residents of the communities.
He, however, disclosed that the inhabitants of the community may be compelled to deal with the animals if they persist with their destructive measure.
“They have destroyed some of our farmlands, leaving our entire efforts in ruins, if not checked, the people would start taking revenge on them.
“It is becoming regular for gorillas to leave their habitat in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary in Boki and saunter into nearby communities in search of food and could not trace their way back,” he said.
While appealing to the residents on the issue, Dr Inaoyom Imong, WSC Director, Cross River Landscape, Dr Inaoyom Imong, called on the communities not to retaliate.
“Don’t kill the animals. Elephants and gorillas are facing extinction, going by their few numbers. No one will be happy to see these animals killed as they are under protection,” Imong said.
He, then disclosed that the population of gorillas and elephants in the area have been increasing, appealing to government to carry out protective measures for the animals.
“It is the government that ought to ensure that the National Parks in the state which are gazzetted as protected areas are held as such.
