Education
Inside Yankari: Veterinarian Abdullahi Idris on protecting Nigeria’s wildlife – EnviroNews
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The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation’s Friend of the Month is Abdullahi Idris, a wildlife veterinarian based in Bauchi State, Nigeria, working to protect wildlife in Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park. His work focuses on wildlife health monitoring, disease surveillance, rescue and rehabilitation, and supporting conservation efforts for species such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and primates.
In this feature, Abdullahi shares his journey into wildlife conservation, the challenges and rewards of working in the field, and his vision for strengthening wildlife protection through improving the veterinary capacity in Nigeria
Could you tell us about your journey into wildlife veterinary medicine and what inspired your passion for conservation?
My journey into wildlife veterinary medicine developed gradually. I began my career as a Veterinary Officer with the Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture, working primarily with domestic animals from 2017 to 2021. However, I always had a strong interest in wildlife and conservation. Over the years, I followed the work of renowned conservationists, wildlife veterinarians, and organisations involved in wildlife health and conservation. Learning about wildlife immobilisation, translocation, and conservation medicine inspired me to pursue this path. In 2021, I was posted to support wildlife veterinary activities at Yankari Game Reserve (YGR), and since then, I have fully committed myself to wildlife conservation.
What does a typical day look like for a wildlife veterinarian in Yankari Game Reserve?
There is rarely a ‘typical’ day because wildlife work is highly unpredictable. Much of my time is spent monitoring animal health, conducting surveillance, responding to reports from ranger patrols, and identifying potential conservation concerns. We also work closely with local communities and conservation partners, including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), particularly on livestock vaccination programs that help reduce disease transmission between livestock and wildlife. Depending on the situation, a day may involve field observations, animal health assessments, wildlife capture, or translocation activities.
Why are Yankari’s elephants so important to Nigeria’s conservation landscape?
Yankari’s elephants represent one of Nigeria’s remaining populations of West African savannah elephants, making them critically important to the country’s biodiversity and natural heritage. They play a vital ecological role by dispersing seeds and shaping vegetation, which benefits other wildlife species. They are also a major attraction for visitors, supporting tourism and conservation awareness. However, protecting elephants requires balancing conservation with community needs, especially when elephants move outside the reserve during the dry season and come into contact with farms and local communities.
What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about wildlife veterinary work?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing an animal recover and return to health. One memorable experience involved caring for a rescued baby patas monkey that had been taken from poachers. Watching it recover reinforced why this work matters. The greatest challenges are limited resources and the lack of specialised wildlife veterinary equipment. There are times when animals need urgent intervention, but we do not have the necessary tools to respond effectively. Losing animals that might have been saved under better circumstances is one of the hardest parts of the job.
How can veterinary science and technology work together to improve elephant conservation?
Technology such as GPS collaring can greatly improve elephant conservation by helping us understand movement patterns, identify conflict hotspots, and protect critical migration corridors. From a veterinary perspective, monitoring tools can also help detect injuries, illness, or unusual behaviour earlier, allowing for faster intervention. GPS data, combined with ranger observations and community reporting systems, can improve elephant protection and support coexistence between wildlife and people. Ultimately, the best results come when veterinarians, rangers, ecologists, and local communities work together.
What are the biggest conservation challenges currently facing wildlife in Yankari?
Human–wildlife conflict remains one of the biggest challenges, particularly when elephants move into nearby farmlands during the dry season. Habitat pressure, livestock encroachment, disease risks at the wildlife–livestock interface, poaching, and limited conservation resources also present significant challenges. Addressing these issues requires stronger collaboration among conservation organisations, government agencies, local communities, and wildlife professionals. Community engagement, disease prevention programs, improved monitoring systems, and stronger anti-poaching efforts are all essential for long-term conservation success.
Is there a field experience that has particularly impacted you?
Several experiences have left a lasting impression on me. Caring for a rescued baby patas monkey and seeing it recover was incredibly rewarding and reminded me why wildlife conservation matters. On the other hand, there have also been difficult moments, including the loss of animals that could not be treated due to limited equipment and resources. One particularly memorable case involved an elephant that died before its condition was reported, making it impossible to determine the exact cause of death. These experiences highlight the importance of early reporting, effective monitoring, and rapid veterinary response.
What is your vision for the future of wildlife conservation in Nigeria?
I envision a future where protected areas are better supported, wildlife populations are recovering, and conservation is increasingly guided by science, collaboration, and community participation. Nigeria needs stronger wildlife veterinary systems, improved emergency response capacity, more training opportunities, and greater investment in conservation professionals. Stronger partnerships between government institutions, conservation organisations, and local communities will also be critical. What gives me hope is the growing interest among young Nigerians in conservation and the increasing support for wildlife protection across Africa. If we continue investing in people, skills, and collaboration, I believe there is a promising future for Nigeria’s wildlife and protected areas.