The Conservator-General, National Park Service, Ibrahim Musa Goni has frowned at the cannibalisation of about 30 feet whale washed ashore in Brass Akpoama, Bayelsa State, describing it as dangerous.
Goni, who condemned the feasting on the aquatic animal by indigenes of the communities, urged the relevant government agencies to cordon off the area and immediately commence the process of evacuation of the remains of the dead sea mammal.
He said whale is one of the rare species of sea mammals that are gradually going extinct, a statement signed by the Media Assistant to the Conservator-General, Yakubu Zull noted.
He warned that consumption of such a beached whale without knowing the cause of death may lead to possible outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases in the communities.
“The global acceptable practice is to call the appropriate authorities to assess the condition of the helpless Whale: if it is still alive and healthy, they will help it back into its natural habitat,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians have to be sensitized against such acts and there is need to carry out scientific research on such an incident.
He also offered the support of the service to the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) if required in the sanitation of the area and other areas that will help forestall future cannibalization of stranded animals.
