The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) recovered a sea turtle from an illegal poacher on Thursday, reiterating its caution against unlawful trade of wildlife, hunting and possession of wildlife parts.

LASEPA General Manager Dolapo Fasawe said that protecting the wildlife would help to sustain the ecological balance and prevent extinction of some special animals and plants.

The illegal poacher, simply identified as Mohammed, was arrested by the officials of the Kick against Indiscipline (KAI) in Eti-Osa.

Ms Fasawe said that ignorance of the general public to the benefits of wildlife is contributing highly to the rate of unchecked illicit trade of the endangered species, by few selfish people against the general interest of all.

”Our awareness advocacy recently paid off, as the officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Eti-Osa Zone, professionally arrested one Muhammad, who confessed to hunting of sea animals at the ocean and selling to awaiting customers.

”The sea animal was recovered and later released back home into the ocean at Oniru beach, in the presence of our natural resource protection team,” the general manager said.

According to her, the laws covering the preservation and conservation of wildlife in Nigeria are largely enshrined in two sets of Acts.

She said that they are the Nigerian Endangered Species Act (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Decree 11 of the 1985 Constitution, and Section 20 of the National Parks Service Act.

Ms Fasawe said that these extant laws in principle regulate the hunting, raring and trade of animals, as well as set up the various game reserves currently existing in Nigeria, including the Yankari, and Borgu game reserves, Okomu and Old Oyo National parks, among others.

The existing laws allow for a fine of N5 million or one year jail term for the illicit trade of endangered animals in Nigeria.

NAN