January 25, (THEWILL) – Former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Wildlife enthusiast, Tarinyo Akono, has raised alarm over the indiscriminate killing of gorillas in the Edumanom National Forest in Nembe and Ogbia Local Government Areas of the Bayelsa State.
Akono, who raised the alarm in a chat with journalists in Yenagoa, said the gorilla is classified as an endangered species and must be protected.
The former NUJ boss called on the government to take urgent steps to check the killing of the gorillas, stressing that the government has a duty to protect wild animals listed as endangered species.
He said it was disheartening to see two gorillas killed in a single day this year, adding that between January 2022 to date, seven gorillas have been killed for bushmeat.
Akono also called on traditional rulers in the two LGAs, particularly in Etiema and Akepelai communities, to warn their people not to kill the gorillas, adding that in the Wildlife Protection Act of 2016, the killing of a gorilla attracts a 10 years jail term.
The gorillas, if made friendly enough, will attract tourists and will serve as a huge revenue earner for the state, he said.
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