Captured Manatee in Burutu Area of Delta State
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government said its attention has been drawn to a virile online video where some uninformed youths were seen dragging a captured Manatee which is among protective sea animals.
The government condemned in its entirety the inhuman act of the unidentified youths whose actions, it said has become an embarrassment to the state.
The state government, in a release endorsed by Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the government seriously frowns at the actions of the youths, saying it negates the Bonn Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
The government warned that anyone caught hunting protective animals within the state would be arrested and prosecuted in line with relevant laws of the land.
“Let me re-emphasize that it is against the law for those in the habit of killing animals that are protected by the law.
“Anybody caught killing such animal will be jailed because we cannot continue to watch people destroy our nature out of ignorance
“Rather than kill such animals, people are advised to render help to them to return to their natural habitats where necessary,” the commissioner stated.
The commissioner assured that the State Ministry of Information would partner its environment counterpart and other relevant government agencies to carry out intensive campaigns on the preservation of endangered protective animals.
