"Protected animals in my country....(Nigeria)"

Hello, friends welcome to my post in which I have discussed "Protected animals in my country " as part of my participation in this 👉contest.

Here, I will share the protected animal in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Generally speaking, Nigeria is a very big country with 36 states and capital in the country all the states in Nigeria have protected animals, and for today, I will be sharing the one in Nasarawa State with you.

African Leopard 🐆

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In Nasarawa State, Nigeria, the African Leopard 🐆 is a protected animal that looks like a big cat but is not a cat. The animal is found in some of the forest and savanna areas of Nigeria state. Areas like Benue Valley forest corridor, a game reserve in Awe, and Andaha Reserve are areas where African leopards can be found easily.

The population Status for African leopards is locally endangered in some parts of Nigeria but vulnerable internationally. The animal is less seen in the forest due to wildlife conflict, habitat destruction, and poaching.

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Habitat and Environmental Threats

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• Habitat loss: This is due to the expansion of human settlements, logging, and farmland in the state, which has made African leopards separate themselves.

• Poaching: It is been hunted for their bones, claws and skins which people are using it traditionally.

• Human settlements: As the state is developing, people are building houses and industries at places that were once bushes, which these animals are now running away from.

• Retaliatory Killing: When the African Leopard attacks livestock, farmers and hunters, go after them to hunt them in revenge.

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Legal Status and Protection Laws

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There are three legal statuses/ laws protecting African Leopard in Nasarawa State which these legal status/laws are;

• The National Protection: This is under the Nigeria Endangered Species (control of international traffic and trade) Act (1985). With this, the African Leopard is protected fully from trading and hunting, which, if anyone is caught, is going to be a punishable criminal offense.

• The International Law: This law is listed in CITE Appendix I, which bans all commercial and international trade of leopards. It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

• The Local Enforcement: The game reserve staff in Nasarawa State and the wildlife protection agencies do conduct anti-poaching patrols. In addition to this, there are community wildlife scouts to help report the illegal hunting of leopards.

I am inviting: @dove11, @ruthjoe, and @Ihorgic