The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has expressed concern over what it describes as a renewed wave of wildlife poaching and trafficking activities threatening biodiversity conservation efforts in Cross River State.
The agency warned that illegal hunting and the trafficking of protected wildlife species are gradually resurfacing despite years of conservation campaigns and enforcement measures aimed at safeguarding the state's rich ecological resources.
According to NESREA, Cross River remains one of Nigeria's most important biodiversity hotspots, hosting several endangered species whose survival is increasingly threatened by habitat destruction, illegal trade, and poaching activities.
Officials noted that wildlife criminals continue to target valuable species for local consumption and international trafficking networks, undermining conservation gains achieved over the years by government agencies, conservation groups, and local communities.
The agency called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, environmental authorities, traditional institutions, and host communities to combat the growing menace. It also emphasized the need for increased public awareness on the environmental and economic consequences of wildlife crimes.
NESREA further urged residents to support conservation efforts by reporting suspicious activities linked to illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking, stressing that the protection of endangered species is critical to preserving Cross River's ecological heritage and tourism potential.
Environmental stakeholders have long regarded Cross River as a key sanctuary for some of West Africa's rarest wildlife species, making the state's forests a major focus of both national and international conservation initiatives.
With concerns mounting over renewed illegal activities, conservation advocates are calling for tougher enforcement measures to prevent further threats to the state's unique wildlife population.
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