Volunteers in Southern Nigeria Fight Wildlife Poaching

In Southern Nigeria, community volunteers are taking action to protect wildlife and combat illegal hunting. Ifoma Inyang, who operates a bushmeat stall in the Ediene Ikot community of Uyo Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, has been running the business since her mother's death five years ago.

The bushmeat trade poses significant threats to wildlife, with rising demand in urban areas like Akwa Ibom, Abuja, and Lagos. The BPC, established in 1996, works in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, focusing on conservation and the rehabilitation of animals removed from their habitats.

The organization has developed a network of 20 community volunteers who report illegal hunting activities and assist in rescuing animals, having saved over 4,000 mammals, reptiles, and birds. The rescued animals often arrive injured or weak, and the volunteers play a crucial role in their recovery and protection from the bushmeat market.