Wildlife Weekly
Wildlife Weekly
Subscribe
Every Monday, Wildlife Weekly offers simple conversation and insight into Nigeria's rich biodiversity, forests and wildlife. The program educates students and residents of the metropolitan city of Lagos. The program is brought to you through a partnership between WildAid and Yabatech Radio 89.3FM.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
6 days ago
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 10 ( The Elephants of Omo Reserve )
A look at efforts to protect the last elephant population in Omo Forest 100 kilometers (60 miles) from downtown Lagos. Omo was protected as a government reserve nearly a century ago and is a UNESCO "biosphere reserve" of global importance, it is one of the last patches of pristine rainforest left near Lagos. While Omo’s 132,000 hectares (326,000 acres) of forest is granted official protection, with a 640-hectare (1,580-acre) portion in the middle designated a “strict nature reserve” — the reserve is under heavy pressure from farmers, hunters and loggers. Between 2001 and 2018, Omo lost more than 7 percent of its tree cover, according to satellite data from the University of Maryland (UMD). So far in 2019, UMD has recorded more than 2,000 deforestation alerts – most of which occurred in May and June. Biodun Ajibade visited Omo and had a chat with Emmanuel Olabode who is working to save the elephants in Omo Forest in South-West Nigeria.
playlist_add
Feb 2, 2023
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 9 (A trip to Old Oyo National Park)
In this episode, Oiza visited the Old Oyo National Park, considered as a mixed heritage site with outstanding natural and cultural values. Interviews with rangers and the park management. It is the closest park to Lagos and worth exploring and bringing to the attention of Lagosians.
playlist_add
Dec 29, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 8 (Unsung hero: Benedicta Ikemefune)
For this episode, we went in search of young people working to protect the environment, whether from plastic pollution or supporting conservation efforts across Lagos.
We found Benedicta, a student of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Oiza interviews her on her activities around curbing plastic pollution as she tells the story of the tragic incident that spurred her to become an environmentalist.
playlist_add
Nov 21, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 7 (Where did all our vultures go? )
There are growing fears among conservationists that vultures are facing extinction. This is particularly troubling when you consider that vultures are among the most adaptable of all the world’s birds and have learned to live alongside human beings, serving as the clean-up squads in urban and rural areas alike.
In this episode, Oiza speaks to Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Owner of Lufasi Nature Park he spoke on the threats facing vultures and implored Nigerians to see the vulture in a more positive light and as a vital contributor to the ecosystem that needs to be protected.
playlist_add
Oct 27, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 6 (Unsung hero: Chinedu Mogbo)
In this episode, Oiza speaks to Chinedu Mogbo and his mission to save endangered animals in Nigeria. Widespread hunting in Nigeria has seen the country's animal population continue to fall. With no effective laws against animal abuse and trade, Chinedu Mogbo is trying to combat it by setting up a sanctuary for animals.
playlist_add
Oct 5, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY EP 5 ( The Pandemic, Wildlife and Us )
Bushmeat species are ideal hosts for deadly diseases. For example, great apes are as adversely affected by the Ebola virus as humans. Ebola can be transmitted to humans from contact with contaminated meat and eating bushmeat is believed to be a cause of Ebola outbreaks in humans. With bushmeat becoming increasingly commercialized, this problem could quickly affect any of us. It is a huge possibility that this meat will be accompanied by zoonotic diseases.
In this episode, Oiza had a chat with Dr Mark Ufua, a vetenarian who explained how wild animals are carriers of zoonotic diseases and introduce another outbreak if they are not kept in the wild.
playlist_add
Sep 27, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 4 (The manatees of Lagos)
The West African Manatee is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Incidental capture in nets, and hunting for meat, skin, bones and oil occurs throughout most of its range, including in coastal towns and villages in Nigeria.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are an estimated 10,000 manatees along the coast of West Africa, but its population is rapidly declining. Hunting manatees is illegal in Nigeria yet endangered mammals remain targeted, sought after for its meat, oil and organs, used in traditional medicine. In this spoke we spoke to Dr. Bolaji Dunsin, a Nigerian scientist, who is saving African manatees by working with fishermen at Lekki Lagoon.
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 3 ( The Bushmeat Crisis)
What is the bushmeat crisis and why should we care? In this episode we sought to help the audience understand how the growing appeal of bushmeat is destroying wildlife and why this needs to stop, at least for endangered species. This episode featured interviews from bushmeat markets in Lagos, urban consumers on factors that influence their preference for bushmeat and views from experts responding to consumers’ perceptions and offering wider context on why it is necessary to tackle this crisis.
playlist_add
Sep 5, 2022
WILDLIFE WEEKLY SEASON 2 EP 2 (Young people and conservation)
As the impacts of the commercial bushmeat trade and wildlife trafficking increase with each passing year, it is important for young people to join the movement for positive change. By leading the discussion around bushmeat trade, illegal wildlife trafficking and ongoing conservation efforts , young people will become agents of change and spread awareness while also motivating others to take action. This episode will “listen” to young voices and encourage youth around the world to rally together to address ongoing major threats to wildlife, including illicit trafficking, over-exploitation and habitat loss.
Call to action: Spread the word, especially to children and youth. They are the future leaders of wildlife conservation and they deserve a future where we humans live in harmony with wildlife that share the planet with us.
playlist_add
Aug 1, 2022
Intro Episode to Season II
This week on Wildlife Weekly, Oiza introduced Season II of Wildlife Weekly alongside an interview with WildAid's Nigeria representative Festus Iyorah.
Festus spoke on reasons for the show and why young people need to listen to the show and also offered listeners an idea of the episodes they will be listening to in the course of the season.
playlist_add
Apr 29, 2022
Focus on Pangolins; The world's most trafficked animal
This Episode from season 1 focuses on Pangolins; The world's most trafficked animal. It also features an interview with Dr. Ofua Mark wildlife veterinarian and pangolin expert, owner SaintMarks Animal Rescue Foundation.
This programme is brought to you through a partnership between WildAid and Yabatech Radio 89.3FM Lagos.
playlist_add