By Akpan David, Calabar
The European Union, Rainforest Trust and JRS Biodiversity Foundation has provided funds for training of forest rangers in Cross River State, which has the largest forest reserves in the country.
The first 60 rangers whose trainings completed yesterday were drawn from Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Mbe Mountains, and Cross River National Parks.
Another batch of 60 forest rangers are also billed to undergo their own refresher training early January 2022.
Country Director of Wildlife Conservative Society (WCS), Mr Andrew Dunn disclosed this in a statement in Calabar.
He said that the refresher ranger training was conducted by a South Africa based specialist ranger training company “Conservation Outcomes” which had previously trained rangers in the State and in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State.
The 42-day training held from 3rd November to 16 December 2021 and was organised by Wildlife Conservative Society (WCS).
“The training was held at the Erokut Gate Park Entry. Cross River National Park and Cross River State Forestry Commission rangers as well as Conservations Association of the Mbe Mountains (CAMM) eco-guards benefited from it.”
He said that the training covered physical fitness, first aid, patrol techniques, drill, discipline, human rights and self-defence.
“The training lasted a total of 42 days and was divided into two courses, each lasting 21 days”, he said in a statement.
“In addition to increasing their knowledge and skills, the refresher training has raised morale among the rangers who are also motivated to perform their duties and better protect forest and wildlife at their sites.
“WCS is planning additional training for 60 rangers from Cross River National Park in January 2022.”
Dunn gave reasons which encouraged them to organise the training.
“Due to weak law enforcement, these forests and valuable wildlife are declining rapidly. However, these forests and important wildlife are under increasing threats from illegal logging, farm encroachment and poaching, as areas outside have been largely depleted. .
“Improving the protection of these protected areas is critical to halting the decline. Regular refresher ranger training is important to enhance ranger performance and improve park protection.”
Cross River State is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, and is home to a number of rare and endangered wildlife including the Cross River gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, drill, forest elephant and pangolins
Most of the forests in the State are found within the Cross River National Park and adjoining protected areas including the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Afi River Forest Reserve, and the Mbe Mountains Community Forest.
