The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has moved in to save the Humpback dolphins found in the coastline waters of Andoni in Rivers State.
The union has already kicked off a training programme for select groups that will protect the special species of Dolphin found mainly in the coastal waters of West Africa.
The inauguration of the groups took place at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital under the coordination of the Biodiversity Preservation Centre. The trainees will be known as Atlantic Humpback Dolphin guardians.
Mr. Gogo Abel Ujile of the Save Andoni Forest Elephant and Ecosystem Initiative (Safe-i) and his team were among the pioneer groups trained under the programme.
Ujile said he was glad to have been picked along with his colleagues to join in the campaign to save the humpback dolphin.
He disclosed that the programme was ignited by the killing of a humpback dolphin by a popular Obolo (Andoni) one Nte Idala, a fisherman in Andoni two years ago.
Though the feat was hailed by local folks, the killing of the dolphin, well known as the sailor’s friend was condemned globally. That could be the reason why IUCN stepped in to save the Humpbak Dolphin.
Locals in the coastal community of Brass in Bayelsa State had killed a stranded whale almost during the same period.
