The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA, has condemned the killing of two elephant calves in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
The association also noted that it has received with deep pain, reports of the killings of two booted eagles that migrated from Europe but met their sad ends in Kebbi and Sokoto states.
The association made these declarations via a statement signed by its President, Dr. Moses Arokoyo. Arokoyo in the statement made available on Sunday described the killing of the two elephants on 17th December 2023 as unfortunate.
He said, “The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association condemns totally and in all ramifications, the brutal killing of two (2) young defenseless elephant calves at Kala Balge LGA of Borno State on December 17, 2023.“
This inhumane act depicts the premeditated and willful termination of a harmless and defenseless creature’s life, it also infringes on the animal’s right to live, which is our duty to protect as Veterinarians.
“In the same vein, we have also received with deep pain, reports of killings of two booted eagles which migrated from Europe but met their sad ends in Kebbi and Sokoto States, Nigeria.“
We wish to inform our colleagues and the entire veterinary community that the Nigerian National Park Service is already being engaged on the issue and in line with further investigations, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association will work in collaboration with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to get a sustainable solution to the continued Animal brutality as this is becoming of increasing concern.“
It is also worthy to note that this act may not be unconnected to lack of awareness and sensitivity about the significance of wildlife conservation and options of non-lethal methods of self-preservation to mitigate threats from these endangered wildlife species.”