ANIMAL AND LIFE

ANIMAL AND LIFE

Before modern development, Nigeria’s diverse habitat of mangrove
swamps, tropical forests, savanna, and mountain plateaus supported a
diversity of plants and animals. However, over the last several decades, vast
tracts of animal habitat have fallen victim to rapid population growth
and the expansion of farmland. The widespread hunting of wildlife for
food has also threatened the animal population. Consequently, Nigeria’s
few remaining elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and other large game
are generally found only in very remote areas or inside major reserves.
Smaller animals such as antelope, monkeys, jackals, and hyenas are
more widespread. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles, however, are still common
in the largest rivers. Birds, including species that migrate seasonally
between Africa and Europe, are also abundant