Rescued Elephant Agbaibor Highlights Conservation Efforts

Agbaibor, a month-old orphaned forest elephant, was rescued in Okomu National Park, located in Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State. The elephant was found wandering alone near a palm oil plantation and is currently being cared for by ranger Joshua Aribasoy, who monitors the calf around the clock.

The rehabilitation process is expected to take three to five years, with costs reaching 4-5 million naira (approximately $3,600) monthly, which includes 77 kilograms of milk powder and nutritional supplements. Conservationist Peter Abanyam noted that the forest elephant population in Nigeria is critically endangered, with around 200 remaining, and approximately 40 believed to live around Okomu.

The habitat is under threat from logging, poaching, and expanding human settlements. The African Nature Investor organization has launched an emergency effort to nurse Agbaibor back to health, with plans to build a new enclosure deeper in the park to facilitate gradual exposure to wild sounds and movements, eventually leading to reintroduction into a herd.