Dragonflies of Obudu Plateau sound the alarm: New report warns of species on the brink – EnviroNews

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A new community stakeholders’ report released by Ecophilic Scientific Research and Innovations has revealed an alarming decline in dragonflies and damselflies on the Obudu Plateau, warning that six species – including two found nowhere else on Earth – are now threatened with extinction.

Titled “Dragonflies and Damselflies of Obudu Cattle Ranch: Little Guardians Under Threat,” the 2026 report is the outcome of five years of monitoring and extensive engagements with local communities across the eight villages of the Obudu Ranch in Cross River State.

Dr. Abiodun Matthew Adedapo, Programme Manager and Principal Investigator for the project, said the findings highlight a critical conservation emergency.

“The report indicates an alarming six threatened odonate species occurring in the region. Two of the species are Critically Endangered and endemic to Obudu Ranch,” he noted, citing dry‑season fires and deforestation as the leading drivers of habitat loss.

Why Dragonflies Matter More Than Most People Realise

The report stresses that dragonflies and damselflies – often overlooked – are vital to the health of the Obudu ecosystem and the wellbeing of its communities.

• Natural wellness indicators: Their presence or absence reveals the condition of streams, rivers, and forests.
• Public health defenders: Each dragonfly can consume at least 100 mosquitoes a day, helping reduce malaria risk.
• Ecotourism magnets: Their striking colours and rarity attract photographers, researchers, and tourists from Europe, America, and beyond.

A 2022 visit by Dutch and Nigerian scientists to Obudu Ranch has already sparked renewed international interest, with the report noting that protecting these species could unlock new conservation‑linked tourism opportunities.

Six Species Under Threat – Including One Not Seen Since 1977

The study identifies six threatened odonate species:

• Critically Endangered:
  • Pentaphlebia gamblesi – the Obudu Relic damselfly, last seen in 1977.
  • Neurolestes nigeriensis – Gamble’s Flatwing, found only in Obudu.
• Endangered:
  • The Banded Jewel (Africocypha centripunctata)
  • The Blue‑shouldered Yellowwing (Allocnemis vicki)
  • The Cameroon Sparklewing (Umma mesumbei)
• Vulnerable:
  • The Red Relic (Pentaphlebia stahli)
  • The Shadow Hawker dragonfly (Afroaeschna scotias)

These species depend on pristine streams and intact forests – habitats increasingly threatened by human activity.

Dry‑Season Fires: The Biggest Threat

The report documents a disturbing pattern: between November and March each year, uncontrolled fires sweep through the Obudu Mountains, destroying grasslands, forests, and riparian corridors.

Community interviews revealed multiple reasons for the fires:

• Stimulating fresh grass for cattle
• Clearing steep slopes to prevent livestock accidents
• Burning vegetation for farming due to lack of machinery
• Recreational burning

The consequences are severe. Fires wipe out adult dragonflies and damselflies, expose soil to erosion, trigger rockfalls and landslides, and pollute streams where larvae develop.

The report concludes that food security pressures and livelihood needs are driving habitat destruction – creating a “utilise‑protect dilemma” for local communities.

Local Action: Communities Step Forward

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Despite the challenges, the report highlights promising community‑led conservation efforts:

• Formation of the Obudu Dragonfly and Damselfly Conservation Club (ODDCC)
• Engagements with traditional leaders, including the Clan Head of Becheve
• Town hall meetings involving all eight villages
• Growing interest in citizen‑science monitoring
• Willingness to adopt strategic, controlled burning practices
• Openness to designating key unprotected sites as Community Conservation Areas (CCAs)

Participants at the 2026 Town Hall Meeting acknowledged the dangers of indiscriminate fires and expressed readiness to protect forests and riparian zones critical to threatened species.

Next Steps: A Path Toward Harmony Between People and Nature

The report outlines three priority actions:

1. Designating important unprotected sites as Community Conservation Areas
2. Developing sustainable, expert‑guided fire management strategies
3. Creating eco‑friendly livelihood alternatives for residents of the Obudu Plateau

Dr. Adedapo emphasised that this first report “echoes the voices of the people in the quest for living in harmony with nature without jeopardising the needs of the people.”

As Obudu Ranch stands at a crossroads, the fate of its “little guardians” – the dragonflies and damselflies – may depend on how quickly and collaboratively communities, conservationists, and policymakers act.