Interesting : A Community In Kebbi State - Zaria Kala Kala, Hosts Three Stray Giant Elephants

As the usual nature of village communities, any strange animal that comes to the community or is spotted close to the community, is chased and killed by hunters or people of that particular community, not minding if the animal is an endangered specie or not. However, the reverse was the case in Kebbi. Recently, communities in Kebbi, especially that of Zaria Kala Kala, played host to three stray elephants.

The community demonstrated quite an unusual gesture towards three endangered species of elephants that were allegedly carried by River Niger currents to the area, all the way from Benin or Niger Republic.

Most striking point of the character exhibited by the host community, was how the members helped the stray elephants by safe-guarding their lives so that no danger could come to them even with their strange looks and the destruction of their crops by the wandering animals. Initially, there was intense fear in Zaria Kala Kala village community of Koko Besse local government area of Kebbi State, as the three stray Elephants on Tuesday invaded the area.

According to the residents of the village, the elephants were brought to the area by river currents, which pass through the area. Another source told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the animals were suspected to have migrated from the neighbouring jungles of Niger or Benin Republic from the territories of the River Niger banks, when they strayed from their group and entered Kebbi community.

The village head of Ganten Fadama, one of the communities that hosted the stray elephants, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, said that when the news came of the elephants that strayed into their community, fear of what would happen gripped the community. “We first heard that three elephants were seen in Zariyar Kala Kala in Koko-Besse local govt. So, after two days again, some of my village people went to their farm lands and came back with the information that those three elephants earlier seen in Zariyar Kala Kala, were now in their farm lands.

“After I received the information, I went by myself to confirm what they said. After verifying the information, I immediately informed my local govt chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Kaura Danhakimi Zagga, for necessary action. I equally mobilised my subjects including the hunters and told them not to harm or provoke the animals even when they ate their crops.

“I ensured that we provided protection to the wild animals from hunters and also that the wild animals were not to be killed.

Another traditional leader in the area, the district head of Borgu in Bagudo local government area, Alhaji Usman Adamu (Sarkin Bargu ) narrated how the endangered animals found their way into their communities and how they made efforts to safe guard them from any harm.

“Well, as you might have heard, the elephants are with us unharmed. They have been with us for two weeks now, nobody touched them. It is our belief that they lost their way and came all the way from Benin Republic. We have been advised by authorities not to harm them. So, I called my people and told them so and thank God, the community people cooperated with me.

“People only follow the elephants to watch them. Our prayer is that the owners of the elephants from benin republic will come and take them away because of the damage the elephants are causing out farmers.