By: NURUDEEN ISMAIL
Date: 8th November, 2017
Time: 10:32am
WIDE
ANIMALS IN NIGERIA AND THEIR LOCATIONS
Endangered species are threatened by factors
such as habitat loss, hunting, disease and climate change, and usually the
endangered species have a declining population or a very limited range. Learn
which animals are endangered in Nigeria and why.
1. West African lion:
West African lion and a cub In 1970 there were
approximately 200,000 lions all over Africa. Now there are nearly 20,000.
It was estimated that there are just 645 genetically distinct wild lions left
in western and central Africa, with as few as 34 remaining in the whole
terrirtory of Nigeria. Clusters of lions remain in Burkina Faso, Niger, the
Central African Republic, Cameroon and Chad. In Ghana, The Ivory Coast and Togo
there are already no lions left.
2. Cross River Gorilla:
Cross River gorilla Gorillas who used to be the
kings of jungle are now numbered at fewer than 300 in the forests of Nigeria
and Cameroon. In 80th it was believed that this kind of primates has already
become extinct. But later it has been learnt that they were still there.
So there is still some chances for their lucky future.
3. Cameroonian forest shrew:
Cameroonian forest shrew These tiny rats are
also endangered species. They can be found in the Montane forests of Western
Cameroon around Mount Oku and Lake Manengouba, and in Southeastern Nigeria in
the Gotel Mountains or Adamawa Plateau.
4. White-throated guenon:
White-throated guenon The next vulnerable
member of our list is a white-throated guenon. He is also called red-bellied
monkey and the red-bellied guenon. These creatures live in rainforests or
tropical areas of Nigeria and Benin. These monkeys eat fruits, small insects,
leaves and crops. They live in small groups of 4 or 5. The white-throated
guenon was once thought to be extinct due to constant hunting for their fur, as
the animal has a unique red belly and white front legs. But a small group
was found near the Niger River in 1988.
5. Red-eared guenon:
Red-eared guenon This kind of monkeys is also
endangered. They can be found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria. Its
natural habitat is subtropical or tropical forests. The reasons of its
extinction are illegal hunting and pet trade.