The Delta State Government has warned against killing of protective animals.

The government was reacting to a virile online video where some uninformed youths were seen dragging a captured Manatee.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Aniagwu Charles, the government vowed that “anybody caught killing such animal will be jailed”.

The statement reads:

The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to a virile online video where some uninformed youths were seen dragging a captured Manatee which is among protective sea animals.

We condemn in its entirety the inhuman act of the unidentified youths whose actions have become an embarrassment to the state.

The state government seriously frowns at the actions of these youths which negates the Bonn Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

The government hereby warn that anyone caught hunting protective animals within the state, will be arrested and prosecuted in line with relevant laws of the land.

Let me re-emphasise that it is against the law for those in the habit of killing animals that are protected by the law.

Anybody caught killing such animal will be jailed because we cannot continue to watch people destroy our nature out of ignorance

Rather than kill such animals, people are advised to render help to them to return to their natural habitats where necessary.

The State Ministry of Information will partner with her Environment counterpart and other relevant government agencies to carry out intensive enlightenment campaigns on the preservation of these endangered protective animals.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.