Karmactive staff
Gashaka-Gumti National Park, the largest park and the most biodiverse protected area in Nigeria, was created by a Federal Decree in 1991. But the National Park is now facing a critical crisis.
Photo Source: Google
The officials of the park are speculating that iconic species such as lions, hippos, and cheetahs are feared to be locally extinct as they have not been spotted in a while despite extensive surveillance efforts.
Joseph Ntui, the Conservator of Parks, revealed that these animals have not been sighted for several years, this was stated during a recent media tour organized by Africa Nature Investors (ANI)
Human activities such as poaching, illegal hunting, and encroachment from farming are being pointed out as the culprit for this shocking extinction crisis.
The World Wildlife Fund published a 2021 report that revealed a 73% decline in global wildlife populations over the last 50 years.
Climate change further worsens the issue by altering weather patterns and reducing water resources, putting additional stress on already fragile ecosystems and making the wildlife species flee to other and more suitable ecosystems.
Gashaka Gumpti National Park has for years served as a living laboratory for research and experimentation, being a home to a wide variety of birds, fish, butterflies, mammals, plants, and other unique species.
African Nature Investors has been actively supporting the park's conservation efforts through financial and technical assistance and Ntui commended ANI's partnership.
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