Orphaned elephant highlights Nigeria's conservation challenges in Okomu National Park

Agbaibor, a month-old orphaned forest elephant, was rescued after being found near a palm oil plantation bordering Okomu National Park in Edo State, Nigeria. Forest elephants are critically endangered, with only an estimated 200 remaining in Nigeria, about 40 of which are in Okomu. Park authorities and the African Nature Investors ANI conservation group are caring for Agbaibor, a costly operation that involves specialists from Zambia and a monthly expenditure of four to five million naira approximately $3,600 on milk powder, oats, and supplements. The rehabilitation process is expected to take three to five more years, with plans to build a new enclosure deeper inside the park to gradually reintroduce him to wild herds. Okomu National Park, a vital rainforest ecosystem, faces increasing pressure from logging, poaching, farming, and expanding human settlements, which fragment the reserve and increase human-wildlife contact. Conservation groups emphasize engaging local communities, as economic hardship often drives people into protected forests. Former illegal logger Godstime Christopher, now an ANI ranger, uses camera traps to monitor elephants and identify poachers, stating that the training changed his mentality. Caretakers like Joshua Aribasoye are dedicated to Agbaibor's well-being, viewing their role as crucial for preserving Nigeria's remaining wildlife.