Stop patronizing products made of Pangolin body parts ~ Akeredolu

…..as SER holds School outreach program to mark World Pangolin Day 2024

The Society for Ecological Restoration, UNILAG Students Chapter, commemorated the 2024 World Pangolin Day in Grand style with a school outreach program at the University of Lagos Staff School.

Held on February 17,2024 in collaboration with the Pangolin Research Group, the program has as its objective to educate and raise awareness among school children about Pangolins with particular attention to their ecological importance and the need for their conservation.

In a remark, the Coordinator of the SER, UNILAG Students Chapter, Dr. Excellence Akeredolu highlighted that the fight to save Pangolins would be more effective with the active participation of everyone including the leaders and the led.

Dr. Akeredolu maintained that it was of utmost importance to amplify awareness about the Pangolins as unique creatures with enormous socioeconomic benefits to humans, which is why no efforts should be spared in ensuring their sustainable conservation.

According to him, ” I am delighted to be here with all of you today at the University of Lagos staff school to celebrate World Pangolin Day.

” This special event, organized by the Society for Ecological Restoration’s University of Lagos Student Chapter, is all about raising awareness and promoting the conservation of a very special animal—the pangolin.

“Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is a pangolin? Well, pangolins are incredible creatures that come from faraway lands. They are often called “scaly anteaters” because their bodies are covered in tough, protective scales. Just like ants and termites, pangolins love to dig into the ground and find delicious insects to eat. They have long, sticky tongues that they use to slurp up their favorite snacks.

“Pangolins are not just unique and interesting; they also play a vital role in our environment. They help control the population of insects, like ants and termites, by gobbling them up. They even help to spread seeds, which helps plants grow and keeps our forests healthy. So you see, pangolins are like superheroes of the animal world, and they deserve our love and protection.

“Unfortunately, pangolins are facing some big problems. They are in danger of disappearing forever. Can you believe it? People hunt pangolins for their scales, which are mistakenly believed to have magical powers, and their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some places. This hunting, called poaching, is very bad for pangolins because it makes their numbers go down and down.

“But do you know what? We can all make a difference and help save the pangolins. Yes, each and every one of you can become a pangolin superhero!

“The first thing we can do is learn more about pangolins. By understanding why they are important and why they need our help, we can spread the word to others. Talk to your friends, family, and teachers about pangolins. Tell them how special and unique these creatures are. The more people who know about pangolins, the more we can work together to protect them”.

Dr. Akeredolu urged the public to stop patronizing products made from pangolin body parts to discourage the trade and trafficking of the endangered organism.

“Sometimes, products made from pangolins are sold illegally. That means we need to be careful not to buy anything made from pangolins or other endangered animals. By making responsible choices, we can help reduce the demand for pangolin products, and that’s a big step toward protecting them”.

Furthermore, the environmentalist and Senior UNILAG lecturer encouraged the Nigerians to always “support organizations and projects that are working hard to save pangolins. These groups rescue pangolins from poachers and provide them with a safe place to live. They also educate people about the importance of pangolin and work to stop the illegal trade in pangolin products. You can donate your time, and money, or even organize fundraisers at your school to help support these organizations”.

Continuing, Akeredolu said, “Remember, each and every one of you has the power to make a difference. Together, we can be superheroes for pangolin conservation. By learning, spreading awareness, and taking action, we can ensure that pangolins have a bright future.

“Today, let us celebrate the incredible pangolin. Let us be their voice and their protectors. And let us never forget that our actions, big or small, can have a tremendous impact on their lives and the world we share”.