Wildlife conservationists are sounding an urgent alarm over Nigeria’s rapidly dwindling elephant population as the world marks World Elephant Day under the global theme “Bringing the world together to help elephants”.
Conservation organisation Wild Africa has issued a strong call for Nigeria to scale up its efforts in addressing the growing threats to its remaining elephants, particularly the surge in human-elephant conflicts as the world marks World Elephant Day under the global theme “Bringing the world together to help elephants”.
The most pressing of these threats, according to the newly launched National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP), is crop raiding, which frequently leads to violent encounters between humans and elephants. In July, Nigeria witnessed a tragic incident when an elephant killed a farmer in Ogun State, making national headlines and highlighting the seriousness of the conflict.
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“The recent event in Ogun State is a reminder that protecting elephants also means protecting people,” said Mark Ofua, West Africa Representative for Wild Africa. “When elephants have access to safe habitats and corridors, they’re less likely to come into conflict with communities. But achieving that requires deliberate planning, investment, and stronger law enforcement.”
From 1,200 to 300
Nigeria’s elephant population has undergone a dramatic decline over the last 30 years, dropping from over 1,200 individuals to just 300 to 400 today.
These elephants are now scattered in small, fragmented herds across protected areas such as Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, which holds the country’s largest herd of about 100 elephants, and smaller groups in Cross River National Park, Okomu National Park, and other southern forest reserves.
This fragmentation poses a major threat to the species’ survival, as it restricts genetic diversity and increases the likelihood of human conflict. Conservationists cite habitat loss, caused by agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development, as a root cause driving elephants into farmlands and villages in search of food and water.
This can lead to fatal incidents, such as the recent human–elephant conflict in Ogun State.
This growing problem is not just a safety issue; it undermines ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria’s remaining elephants and damages trust among local communities who start perceiving elephants as a threat, rather than unique mammals worth protecting.
Addressing it requires smarter land-use planning and other innovations to protect key habitats, better community engagement, and training on safe coexistence measures, as well as rapid response teams that can act quickly when elephants enter conflict-prone areas.
For instance, in Zimbabwe, the WhatsApp chatbot Wildlife Info provides instant advice on dealing with elephant-related problems, tips for peaceful coexistence, and guidance on wild animal behaviour. By simply texting the dedicated WhatsApp number, users can access methods to reduce conflict, crop damage, and livestock predation. This innovative tool makes vital information accessible to communities.
Reducing the levels of human-elephant conflict is one of the key objectives of the NEAP, which was developed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation in partnership with the Federal Government.
The plan aims to secure and restore habitats, connect fragmented ranges through wildlife corridors, and implement early warning systems, while supporting farmers with non-lethal deterrents, such as natural chilli repellent, noise-makers, digging trenches, and creating beehive fences.
It also aims to promote community benefits from elephant conservation, such as tourism opportunities, while boosting anti-poaching patrols and improving enforcement against ivory trafficking.
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“Because we believe people and wildlife can only survive and thrive together, we need to work to train and equip local communities to implement appropriate, locally relevant mitigation measures while conducting awareness campaigns to disseminate information on these measures,” Ofua added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has made legislative progress with the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, which has passed its third reading in the House of Representatives and now with the Senate for consideration. If passed and signed into law by the President, this legislation would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat wildlife crime and mitigate the degradation of critical habitats for iconic species, such as elephants.
Wild Africa is calling on the Nigerian populace to cohabitate peacefully with elephants and avoid confrontation with these majestic animals. The non-profit is running an awareness campaign across Nigeria, utilizing TV, radio, print media, billboards, and social media to inform the public about safe practices near elephant habitats and the ecological importance of elephants.
