A conservationist, Mohammad Babagana, has called for the establishment of a zoo in Yobe, decrying the lack of one since the state’s creation 30 years ago.

Mr Babagana, Deputy Provost, College of Agriculture, Gujiba, said despite past efforts, lack of political will has hindered the establishment of the conservation park.

“The only zoo that exists near us is the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Maiduguri.

“There were plans to establish a zoo in Damaturu some years back; in fact land was even allocated around the present Yobe State University for the project.

“But because of the lack of political will, the project did not see the light of the day,” Mr Babagana lamented.

He said these in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Saturday.

Mr Babagana said a zoo was important for wildlife conservation and aesthetic value for people to appreciate nature.

The conservationist noted that the establishment of a zoo was capital intensive as it required vast land, infrastructure and maintenance of animals.

He, however, said the government was capable of executing the project considering its relevance to town planning and wildlife conservation.

Mr Babagana, therefore, called on the state government to revive the ex-situ conservation process, which “ brings animals, especially endangered species, from their wild natural habitats to an artificial environment for protection.”

It is however unlikely that the Yobe State Government, preoccupied with battling the Boko Haram insurgency amid claims of insufficient revenue, would take Mr Babangida’s concern seriously.

State Governor Mai Mala Buni slashed workers’ salaries in August citing downturn in government earnings.

(NAN)