Unsung hero — forest ranger ends elephant poaching and educates communities on harmonious wildlife coexistence
Emmanuel Olabode bravely leads his rangers in through a patrol session as they safeguard the vulnerable Omo Forest Reserve.Photo:Wild Africa Fund
By Onke Ngcuka | 20 Apr 2023
Emmanuel Olabode, a ranger in the tropical forests of Nigeria’s Omo Forest Reserve, has been protecting elephants and other wildlife for almost a decade. His wins include ending elephant poaching in the region amid a dwindling population across the country. He has also been able to reeducate former poachers and hunters towards becoming rangers.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the southwestern parts of the Nigerian state of Ogun rests the tropical Omo Forest Reserve, home to more than 200 tree types and more than 100 species of birds and mammals. Yet, the reserve is threatened by poaching, illegal timber harvesting and uncontrolled agriculture. But one ranger, Emmanuel Olabode, is trying to change the future of the reserve, which has been plagued by illegal invasion and wildlife population decline.
Olabode became involved with the Reserve about nine years ago through a programme involving the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Wild Planet Trust, Whitney Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Ogun Ministry of Forestry.
Olabode told Daily Maverick that prior to working with the conservation groups he knew of the elephants but was surprised that they roamed so closely to Lagos State — the Reserve is about 130 km northeast of Lagos. It took Olabode time to track down the elephants, having continuously identified their footprints, dongs and other signs of their presence but not the animals themselves.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-cont ... ze=768,406
Elephant populations are declining in Nigeria, due to poaching for ivory among other factors. Elephants in Omo Forest Reserve however have not experienced any poaching since ranger Emmanuel Olabode started working in the reserve. (Photo: Supplied)
The project, called Forest Elephant Initiative, aims to protect and save wildlife in the Reserve while educating nearby communities on the importance of conservation. The forest elephants are being used as a flagship species to canvas the conservation campaign, Olabode said.
“We also have the likes of chimpanzees, most of the primates of the southwestern region are found in that forest (Omo). In achieving that goal, we have various activities which include patrol activities. We have ragers on the ground carrying out surveillance; moving from one part of the forest to another to check what is happening and see if there is any encroachment,” said Olabode.
Biodiversity protection
The initiative also carries out biodiversity monitoring and has collaborations with researchers and experts to ensure that the ecosystem in the forest is intact. About 7% of the forest’s tree cover has been lost over the years due to deforestation.
“Biodiversity is also a good component of our work. Apart from the elephants, there are other animals that are declining in population, some becoming rare to spot in the forest … the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is on the verge of extinction within Omo Forest Reserve. We also have endemic species such white-throated guenons (a monkey) which are also becoming very rare.”
He added that different types of duiker (yellow and black) have rarely been spotted during patrols, with the same being true for some types of pangolin; one of the most trafficked mammals. Olabode has attributed the loss of animal species to the expansion of human settlements into the forest, as well as deforestation by farmers in the area that are making room for agricultural activities such as cocoa and banana farming.
“Part of the mandate for establishing Omo is for timber harvesting — which is also ongoing. That is not a problem as such because there is a section in Omo where concessions are given for timber harvesting. But where you have a commercial outfit next to a conservation set up, there is bound to be trespassers — people wanting to take advantage,” said the project manager.
A team of about 12 rangers has been key to ensuring the protection of the Omo Forest Reserve, limiting timber harvesting and protecting the wildlife and biodiversity as much as possible. Olabode has been able to expand the team to aid his efforts, by working with the nearby community and rehabilitating former poachers into rangers that now save wildlife and integrate indigenous knowledge into protecting the reserve.
Since starting the programme, Emmanuel Olabode has recruited former poachers and hunters, as well as residents of communities boardering the forest to become rangers and further aid the work he does in the forest. (Photo: Supplied)
Elephant safeguard
There have been zero elephant poaching incidents in Omo since Olabode joined the initiative almost a decade ago. However, an elephant was shot dead in what is suspected to be retaliation, in the Itasin region of Ogun State, due to the elephant disrupting the agricultural activity in the area and poor government intervention.
Though he has had success in achieving the goal of the initiative, the nearby community continues to experience human-elephant conflict. The project manager believes there is much work to do in the Reserve as continuous forest clearance that destroys habitats and steers wildlife towards human settlements remains a challenge.
Deforestation is one of the leading causes of declining tree cover in the Omo Forest Reserve. Alongside protecting the wildlife, Olabode and his rangers try and ensure that the community bordering the forest doesn’t encroach into elephant and wildlife habitats by chopping down trees. (Photo: Supplied)
Olabode continued, “The farmers are going into the habitat of the elephants, reducing the space of the elephants to roam around and thereby increasing the chances of human-elephant conflict. In 2018, we witnessed farmers moving into the conservation concession, forcing the elephants out of the area and moving them into nearby communities — to the north of Omo…it came to a point where someone approached a baby elephant and the mother elephant came and trampled that person who died.”
Education drive
The initiative is also still working with the government to educate the public on alternative land acquisition for farming, and how the forest is being used for wildlife and biodiversity. They have also asked that the government declare Omo Forest Reserve a wildlife sanctuary for the elephants and other wildlife in the area.
Deforestation is one of the leading causes of declining tree cover in the Omo Forest Reserve. Alongside protecting the wildlife, Olabode and his rangers try and ensure that the community bordering the forest doesn’t encroach into elephant and wildlife habitats. (Photo: Supplied)
Though efforts with the government have progressed, some responses have been slow. But Olabode is not waiting on anyone to ensure the maximum protection of Omo’s wildlife and biodiversity. The initiative runs environmental education programmes at about seven primary schools, as well as running conservation clubs for the youth in Omo to ensure that young people grow up environmentally conscious and hopefully continue the work at the Reserve.
“I understand the fact that the forests also need people as much as the people need the forest to survive,” said Olabode. “We should care about conservation. Particularly, we should be concerned about protection of forest elephants in the sense that it is part of our heritage. It is part of our Cultural identity. And once we lose it, that is gone forever.” DM/OBP
Emanuel Olabode walks through the Omo Reserve Forest where he has worked for nine years, safeguarding the wildlife and biodiversity. (Photo: Supplied)
SAVING GIANTS
Personalities who have been or are particularly important to conservation
- Lisbeth
- Site Admin
- Posts: 67563
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
- Country: Switzerland
- Location: Lugano
- Contact:
SAVING GIANTS
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Return to “Environmental Activists”
Jump to
- Africa Wild Board Information
- ↳ Forum Information
- ↳ Africa Wild Forum Information
- ↳ Benefits for Africa Wild Members
- ↳ Questions
- ↳ Suggestions
- Conservation and Management Issues of Concern
- ↳ Rhino Management and Poaching
- ↳ Elephant Management and Poaching
- ↳ General Poaching
- ↳ Developments and Commercialisation in National Parks
- ↳ Proposed Developments in National Parks
- ↳ General Hotel Discussions, KNP
- ↳ Proposed Skukuza Hotel, KNP
- ↳ Proposed Re-zoning, KNP
- ↳ Proposed Developments, KNP
- ↳ Proposed Developments, KTP
- ↳ Sporting (and other events) in National Parks
- ↳ SANParks' Management Issues
- ↳ General Management Issues - SANParks
- ↳ General Management Issues - Kruger
- ↳ Fire Experiments & Fire Management in KNP
- ↳ Vehicle Accidents in Kruger
- ↳ River Systems & Waterhole Management in KNP
- ↳ General Management Issues - Other National Parks
- ↳ SANParks' Gallery of Shame
- ↳ Ezemvelo KZN Management Issues
- ↳ General Conservation Issues
- ↳ Endangered Species
- ↳ Endangered Ecosystems
- ↳ Hunting
- ↳ Mining and Other Extraction Issues
- ↳ Other Conservation Issues
- ↳ Global Climate Change
- ↳ In the News
- ↳ Park Facilities: Needs Attention
- ↳ Lions and Other Endangered Animals Management and Poaching
- Public Participation - Kruger Management Plan
- ↳ Public Participation - Kruger Management Plan
- Africa Wild Campaigns
- ↳ Africa Wild Causes
- ↳ Petitions Forum
- ↳ World Rhino Day
- ↳ Support Anti Rhino Poaching
- Africa Wild Directory to Game Parks of Southern Africa
- ↳ All you need to know about Game and Bird Spotting
- ↳ All you need to know about South African National Parks
- ↳ South African National Parks in General
- ↳ Kruger National Park
- ↳ Kruger Information & General Discussion Forum
- ↳ Congestion in Kruger
- ↳ Camps of Kruger
- ↳ Favourite Routes in Kruger
- ↳ Gates, Hides, Lookouts & Picnic Spots in Kruger
- ↳ Wilderness and 4x4 Trails
- ↳ Travelling to and from Kruger
- ↳ Fauna and Flora of Kruger Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of Kruger
- ↳ History of Kruger
- ↳ Awards Survey
- ↳ Addo Elephant National Park
- ↳ Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- ↳ KTP Information and General Discussion Forum
- ↳ Camps of KTP
- ↳ Pics of Creatures Spotted in KTP
- ↳ Travel Tales of KTP
- ↳ Mapungubwe National Park
- ↳ Agulhas National Park
- ↳ Augrabies Falls National Park
- ↳ Namaqua National Park
- ↳ Bontebok National Park
- ↳ Karoo National Park
- ↳ Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- ↳ Camdeboo National Park
- ↳ Garden Route National Park
- ↳ Marakele National Park
- ↳ Mokala National Park
- ↳ Mountain Zebra National Park
- ↳ Table Mountain National Park
- ↳ Tankwa Karoo National Park
- ↳ West Coast National Park
- ↳ Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
- ↳ All you need to know about Kwa Zulu Natal Game Parks
- ↳ Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
- ↳ Mkuze Game Reserve
- ↳ Ndumo Game Reserve
- ↳ Ithala Game Reserve
- ↳ iSimangaliso Wetland Park
- ↳ Tembe Elephant Park
- ↳ Other KZN Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Travel tales of KZN Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about other South African Game Parks
- ↳ Pilanesberg Game Reserve
- ↳ Gauteng Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ North West Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Limpopo Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Western Cape Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Northern Cape Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Eastern Cape Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Free State Province Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ Mpumalanga Game Parks & Nature Reserves
- ↳ All you need to know about Botswana Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Mozambique Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Namibia Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Eswatini (Swaziland) Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Tanzania Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Zambia Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Malawi Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Zimbabwe Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Kenya Game Parks
- ↳ All you need to know about Uganda Game Parks
- ↳ Questions and discussions on all Southern African Parks
- Africa Wild Travel Tales
- ↳ Africa Wild Travel Tales
- ↳ Travel Tales of South African National Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Kruger National Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of Addo Elephant National Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of Mapungubwe National Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of other South African National Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of KZN Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
- ↳ Travel Tales of Ndumo Game Reserve
- ↳ Travel Tales of Mkuze Game Reserve
- ↳ Travel Tales of Ithala Game Reserve
- ↳ Travel Tales of Tembe Elephant Park
- ↳ Travel Tales of Other KZN Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Other South African Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Pilanesberg Game Reserve
- ↳ Travel Tales of North West Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Limpopo Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Eastern Cape Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Western Cape Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Northern Cape Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Gauteng Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Free State Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Mpumalanga Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Botswana Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Namibia Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Zimbabwe Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Tanzania Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Central & East Africa Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Swaziland Parks
- ↳ Travel Tales of Zambia Parks
- ↳ Tales of Wildlife Experiences & Animal Behaviour
- ↳ Travel Tales of Africa Wild Adventures
- ↳ Travel Tales from around the World
- African Wildlife: Animals, Birds, Plants
- ↳ Mammals
- ↳ Birds
- ↳ Reptiles
- ↳ Amphibians and Fishes
- ↳ Invertebrates
- ↳ Plants
- ↳ The Monthly How, What & Why of Wildlife
- Africa Wild Special Interests
- ↳ Africa Wild Photography
- ↳ Pic of the Day
- ↳ Pic of the Month 2024
- ↳ Pic of the Month 2022/2023
- ↳ Pic of the Year 2023
- ↳ Pic of the Year 2022
- ↳ Pic of the Year 2021
- ↳ Archived Galleries 2011-2024
- ↳ Gallery the Year 2011
- ↳ Bird Pic of the Year 2011
- ↳ Animal Pic of the Year 2011
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2012
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2014
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2015
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2013
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2016
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2017
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2018
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2019
- ↳ Gallery of the Year 2020
- ↳ Gallery of the year 2021
- ↳ Gallery of the year 2022
- ↳ Gallery of the year 2023
- ↳ Gallery of the year 2024
- ↳ General Photography Discussion Forum
- ↳ Technical Photography Discussion Forum
- ↳ Photo Competition - Your Best Photo of.....
- ↳ Webcams
- ↳ Monthly Webcam Gallery
- ↳ Webcam Sightings
- ↳ Africa Wild Quizzies & Games
- ↳ Wildlife from Out of Africa
- ↳ The Fishing Hole
- ↳ Books & Recommended Reading
- ↳ Heritage
- ↳ Natural World
- ↳ Environmental Activists
- Africa Wild Travel and Holiday Information
- ↳ Your Holidays - Responsible Tourism
- ↳ Dongas & Dust
- ↳ Camping
- ↳ Travel Advice and Discussions
- Africa Wild Social Forum
- ↳ The Rhino Midden