The Manager of Imo State Zoological Garden, Dr Francis Abioye, has sent strong warning to Nigerians against killing protected animals including reptiles like Python, Igbere TV has learnt.
Igbere TV reports that Dr. Francis said killing Pythons attract jail term.
Igbere TV gathered Abioye gave the warning on Thursday when he mobilised members of the zoo task force to arrest a resident of Nekede autonomous community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo, accused of killing a python.
Igbere TV learnt that the suspect, Mike Uzoma, allegedly killed the python and sold it on Wednesday.
The area where the python was killed is less than a kilometer away from the zoo.
However by the time the task force members got the community to effect the arrest, the suspect had fled.
The manager who addressed members of the community cautioned them against such act, explaining that all animals around the conservation area are protected by law.
Abioye warned that anybody who kills a python or any animal protected by the law will be arrested and prosecuted.
“I have come to educate all of you against the habit of killing animals that are protected by the law.
“Anybody caught killing such animal must be jailed because we cannot continue to watch people destroy our nature out of ignorance”, he said.
Abioye said rather than kill such animals, the residents should contact the zoo curator to capture them.
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