Wildlife Weekly

Every November, the international Bird festival celebrates birds. This year's event focuses on creating awareness about an extremely rare songbird, The Ibadan Malimbe at IITA. The bird is only found near the city of Ibadan and its environment. it has bright red feathers on the top of its head, and black feathers cover its body. Once widespread throughout the region, the Ibadan Malimbe populati...

Nigeria’s current wildlife law is old and inconsistent with international standards. Besides, it has weak penalties and provides little or no deterrence for wildlife criminals. This story will examine the economic losses caused by wildlife crime, the potential for eco-tourism, and the importance of preserving biodiversity in Nigeria. We will set up interviews with the organizations at the frontlin...

Vulture populations on the African continent have plummeted catastrophically over the last 50 years, with some species declining by as much as 97%. Seven of the eleven African vulture species are at risk of extinction. These majestic birds are now faced with extinction, with some species for the continent declining up to 97% over the last 50 years. Today, 7 out of 11 African vulture species are th...

July 31 is World Ranger Day, which honors the dedication and crucial work rangers do daily around the globe. The day offers an opportunity to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrate Rangers' critical work to protect the world’s natural and cultural treasures. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) survey reveals that one in seven wildlife rangers (14 percent) surveyed...

Every July, the world observes World Zoonoses Day, a special day to create awareness about diseases that originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans. It is estimated that 60% of infectious diseases and up to 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans. The transmitted agents of the infection could be any bacterial, viral, or paras...

Parrots are among the world's most intelligent and traded wildlife species. In Nigeria, they are affected by habitat loss, a bustling pet trade online, and wildlife markets for their parts. Their feathers are used in traditional attire decoration as a symbol of status. In 2016, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned the trade of African Grey Parrots. In...

Nigeria’s coastal waters are home to five species of sea turtles, including the critically endangered Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. Yet, they face severe threats from poaching, plastic pollution, and bycatch in fishing nets. Doyinsola Ogunye is a conservationist based in Lagos, Nigeria. She founded the first sustainable beach in Lagos, the Kids Beach Garden, to teach children about the import...

Bats play a crucial role in pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control; however, they are often misunderstood and persecuted because of superstitions and fears. In Nigeria, bats are frequently hunted for bushmeat, and some species are at risk from deforestation and cave destruction. For this episode, and in honor of International Bat Appreciation Day, the presenter will discuss debunking myths...

Forests cover one-third of the earth land mass, perform vital functions, and support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people. They are essential for human survival, but human activity has damaged them. Every year, approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed. Forests are home to more than half of the world’s land-based animals, plants, and insects. They combat climate change because of...

On World Wildlife Day, the Nigerian government, the private sector, and conservation organizations areencouraged to support wildlife conservation initiatives to preserve Nigeria’s iconic species. This year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” emphasizes theessential role of innovative funding in protecting biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for both...

This first episode from Season 4 focuses on World Pangolin Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most trafficked mammals on the planet: the pangolin. We'll be exploring the challenges pangolins face, the tireless efforts being made to save them, and what we can all do to make a difference. It also feature an interview with Dr. Mark Ofua, the Nigeria representative for Wild...

On World Ranger Day, we celebrate the individuals around the world who play an essential role in safeguarding our planet’s natural resources. Their skills are indispensable in combating poaching, illegal fishing, and other threats that jeopardize wildlife and exacerbate climate change.

In this episode, Oiza visits the Wildlife Park at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State where she engaged the zoo keeper, Mr Anthony Enahoro in a conservation about the animals in the zoo, their routine care, and what a typical day in his life as a zoo keeper is. For better perspectives on Zoos and Wildlife Conservation, she speaks with Dr Mark Ofua. Enjoy!

One of Africa's first wildlife shows for kids, Dr Mark, a qualified wildlife vet, spends each episode educating kids about a different animal relevant to the African continent. The episodes unpack general information about each species as well as the threats they face and what we can do to help protect them.

Forests cover one third of the earth's land mass, performing vital functions and supporting the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people. Forests are vital for human survival but have been hit hard by human activity. Every year, approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed.  Forests are home to more than half of the world’s land-based species of animals, plants and insects. They combat c...

On Tuesday, 9th January 2024, the Nigerian government organized its first-ever Ivory crush, destroyed massive stockpiles of seized elephant tusks, and worked ivory weighing about 2.5 tonnes (2,436.15 kilograms). The event was held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and was spearheaded by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephan...

In March 2021, the Nigerian Breweries Plc awarded the restoration of an area (about 600 ha) of Olokemeji Forest Reserve to the IITA Forest Center, with the Ogun State Government as an implementing partner. The Olokemeji Forest Reserve covering about 5,900 ha and located between two mega-cities in Nigeria, Abeokuta and Ibadan, is one of the largest forest reserves in southwest Africa. The Forest Re...

On the show today, let’s talk deforestation and the latest happening in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate change, preserve wildlife, and support more than eight billion people, trees inevitably hold a major part of the answer. Yet the mass destruction of trees—deforestation—continues, sacrificing the long-term benefits of standing trees for short-term gai...

African grey parrots are bright, intelligent, long living birds.  They are known to be smart, talented mimics. But their popularity has taken a heavy toll on their wild populations. The parrot, which once flourished in Nigeria and several West African countries, has nearly disappeared from the wild due to unsustainable trapping and habitat loss.  African grey parrots are one of the most commonly t...

It’s always in the news. The public hears it quite often. But what exactly is climate change and how can we help the public make sense of this complex term? In this episode, Oiza spoke to Olumide Idowu , aka   Mr. Climate , who is a campaigner and climate change activist as well as Host, The Climate Talk Podcast Seyifunmi Adebote

Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. Mangroves contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. Mangroves also act as a form of natural coastal defense against storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels and erosion. Yet mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest...

Vulture populations on the African continent have plummeted catastrophically over the last 50 years, with some species declining by as much as 97%. Seven of the eleven African vulture species are at risk of extinction. In West Africa there is high demand for vulture parts, majorly driven by belief-based use. In some communities, vulture heads are erroneously thought to contain mystic powers and ar...

Plastic Pollution has become a menace in Lagos, South west, Nigeria with drainages, canals, lagoon and ocean filled with different colours, shapes and sizes of plastics which result in flooding of roads, streets and homes eventually leading to loss of life and property. In commemorating World Environment Day with the theme"Solutions to Plastic Pollution", Oiza speaks with Doyinsola Oguny...

Nigeria has become a hub for the illegal export of pangolin scales and ivory. Why is this a problem and why should I care? This question will guide this episode wherein we will explore ongoing efforts to stop the illegal trade. Oiza had an enlightening conversation with a senior official of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.