The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria says it plans to expand its cooperation with the government and the organised private sector to stop the trafficking of wildlife in the country and sub-Saharan Africa at large.

According to the Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria Brewer, who spoke in Lagos during the commemoration of the 2016 World Wildlife Day, the partnership will include joint training, technical exchanges, information sharing and public education.

These, she said, would promote conservation, while combating poaching and wildlife trafficking with local partners.

Brewer stated, “The senseless slaughter of wildlife in other regions of Africa has resulted in West Africa, and Nigeria in particular, becoming a growing hub for traffickers and poachers.

“Trafficking networks source and pass wildlife products such as ivory, animal parts and exotic pets through Nigeria to other destinations around the globe. This is a continental disaster in the making.

“Across the world, we are losing our natural heritage at an alarming rate.

“Species are being driven towards extinction faster than ever before.

“Nigeria, by virtue of its size, location and market position, can play a critical role in saving the continent’s most precious natural resources.”

She said the problem of wildlife conservation would not be solved by governments alone, adding that communities and individuals would also play key roles.

The Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency, Mr. Lawrence Anukam, said there was a need for renewed efforts towards saving wildlife.

He said Nigeria had a critical role to play as a hub for international flight connections in West Africa.

The US Consul General, Mr. John Bray, said there should be continued discussion on the issue, while efforts should be made to address problem areas such as the porous borders.

Michael Balinga of USAID West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change Programme said that West Africa was increasingly becoming a transit point for poached wildlife from Central and Southern Africa and called for more cooperation in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

The Director, Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, Dr. Olajumoke Morenikeji, said the Federal Government should improve the enforcement of laws guiding wildlife through NESREA and other environmental agencies.

The Assistant Conservationist General of the Cross River National Park, Mr. Yakubu Kolo, noted that to win the war against poaching, logging and bush burning, communities must be carried along in wildlife protection programmes.