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Wildlife Vocalizations: Nathaniel Owolawi
Outreach and education can improve conservation knowledge in Nigeria
I am from the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria, and generally, bush meat is a traditional part of our meals. Many core traditional Yoruba people, particularly those still in rural areas, do not really believe in conservation. They believe that hunting is a part of man’s life and that species cannot go extinct because God created them. In fact, bushmeat is treated like a luxury at functions to serve guests and dignitaries.
A few years ago, a close family friend who believed in the cultural tradition of taking wildlife for food was visiting me and offered me bushmeat. He is elderly, and normally, it is disrespectful to reject a gift from the elderly in my culture. Although I considered collecting it and trashing it later, I realized that doing so would signal support for something I was against.
Instead, I joked about it, refusing the gift gently and making my stance known. Lucky for me, my mom, who I have now brought to my side on conservation, was somewhere close, and she jokingly buttressed my point.

A lack of conservation awareness
There are many challenges facing wildlife today, but one of the most critical is the pervasive lack of awareness about the importance of conservation.
Growing up in Nigeria, I never really heard about conservation until I went to university to study wildlife management. I had visited the nearby Zoological Garden at the University of Ibadan many times growing up—it was always fun going to the zoo to see my favorite species and learn fun facts about the animals. But I never got any message about conserving species there or elsewhere. I also took biology and agricultural science in secondary school, but wildlife conservation is just a small fraction of what is taught in these subjects.
The absence of conservation education from a young age means that many people, even those who are well-educated, remain unaware of the critical need to protect wildlife. This ignorance undermines conservation efforts and prevents the development of a conservation-minded culture. Establishing a strong foundation of conservation education early is essential, not just for fostering individual responsibility, but also for nurturing a collective consciousness that values and prioritizes the preservation of our natural world.

I became inspired to take some steps to fill this gap in Nigeria. I have volunteered with conservation organizations, and led conservation outreach at schools and radio stations.
Governments have a pivotal role in addressing the lack of conservation education by integrating it into standard education curriculums. By making conservation lessons a formal part of education, from primary schools through tertiary institutions, every child should learn about the importance of conserving wildlife and ecosystems.
Nongovernmental organizations are now playing a crucial role in filling the gaps left by formal education systems. Many NGOs have initiated conservation clubs and educational programs in schools, providing students with hands-on experience and highlighting the significance of wildlife conservation. These initiatives not only supplement classroom learning but also inspire young minds to become passionate advocates for wildlife conservation.
In addition, inspired individuals can contribute to the conservation education journey. While interning at the Zoological Garden at the University of Ibadan recently, I observed that many visitors do not understand species’ conservation status. I found this to be a big challenge because people need to be informed. The information they have might inspire them to take action.

To bridge this gap, I worked on a concept that interpreted the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, using short words and infographics to explain each category. I curated it into a board displayed at the zoo entrance. Visitors learn about the Red List categories on this board before they even begin to see the animals, which improves their understanding of conservation statuses as they see them on the information tags at animal enclosures at the zoo.
My generation has the potential to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation by becoming more informed and actively participating in efforts to protect biodiversity. By integrating conservation education into everyday life and fostering a culture that values and protects wildlife, we can ensure the survival of many species and the health of our planet for future generations.
Wildlife Vocalizations is a collection of short personal perspectives from people in the field of wildlife sciences.
Learn more about Wildlife Vocalizations, and read other contributions.
Submit your story for Wildlife Vocalizations or nominate your peers and colleagues to encourage them to share their story. For questions, please contact tws@wildlife.org.
Header Image: Nathaniel Owolawi is an undergraduate student at the University of Ibadan. Credit: Green Mind International Academy