New Telegraph

LASEPA rescues sea turtle …to impose N5m fine on illegal trading of wild life animals

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has rescued a sea turtle from an illegal, poacher who was arrested by the officials of the Kick against Indiscipline (KAI), Eti-Osa zone.

The agency also threatened to impose sanctions on anyone found selling animals categorised as ‘endangerd species’, saying that the existing laws allow for a fine of N5 million or one year jail term for the illicit trade of endangered animals in Nigeria.

The agency also listed the green turtle, African savanna elephant, western gorilla, white bellied pangolin, black rhino and grey parrots as endangered species facing varying threats as a result of unlawful sales, habitat destruction, fashion trend, domestication amongst others.

The agency also called for collective support against unlawful trading of wildlife, hunting and possession of wildlife parts in other to sustain the ecological balance and prevent extinction of some special animals and plants.

The General Manager of the agency, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, who disclosed this, expressed concern that ignorance of the general public to the benefits of wildlife is contributing highly to the rate of unchecked illicit trade of the endangered species by few selfish people against the general interest of all.

She said:“Our awareness advocacy recently paid off, as the officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Eti-Osa zone professionally arrested one Muhammad, who confessed to hunting of sea animals at the ocean and selling to waiting customers.

“The sea animal was recovered and later released back home into the ocean at Oniru Beach in the presence of our natural resource protection team,” she explained

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