A Conservationist's Story
Ise Forest Reserve and its conservationist
The first time Racheal, Author of
told me about Bamidele, I was amazed at his job. In my world, you don’t meet conservationists every day. Bamidele, in our pre-interview chat, tells me about his experiences at the reserve, and their strategy for ensuring the chimpanzees are protected.Today, we will learn more about Bamidele’s job, his interest in biodiversity and of course his advice for improving conservation in the country.
Meet Bamidele Olajuyigbe
1. What do you do? (Present role/affiliation/school)
I am a science program coordinator at the South West Niger Delta Forest Project. This organization is committed to protecting endangered wildlife species within the Southwest and South-south region of Nigeria.
2. Describe yourself using a science concept/term/tool.
The camera trap is always in the forest, it's stable and always captures animals that pass by it. It collects data on these different animal species. That's what I do.
3. Tell us your research interest in three emojis.
🦍🐘🦅
4. Why Conservation and Biodiversity?
I have grown with a natural love for nature, conservation, and biodiversity. As I have learnt during my undergraduate study, all this means the wise use of natural resources in the present time without compromising the use of the same resources for the intended/incoming generation. It also means the sustainable use of the natural resources around us so that it does not cause harm to the environment.
Biodiversity includes the floral and fauna around you. I’m concerned with how we live in this world without being conscious of the environment. A reference to the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15) in the bible.
Moreso, I’m passionate about nature and the environment. I cannot stay too long in the city, that is why I prefer to stay in the village near a forest, where I can easily see birds and big trees around. A place where bird calls will be my alarm—waking me up early in the morning to enjoy the green pasture around me.
We need to protect the earth from adverse human activities from depleting the natural environment; we need to educate the people around us about how to thrive in our natural environment now and in the future.
When the ecosystem is finally destroyed, no humans will be on earth; human climate change results from human activities in the ecosystem.
5. Ise-Ekiti Forest Reserve is home to Chimpanzees and other species of animals. What form of operation has been in place to keep this initiative going?
Inside the Ise forest reserve, we have the Ise forest conservation area; the conservation area is cut out of the forest reserve and is managed by an NGO who are protecting the endangered primate species. There is a different form of operation that keeps the project on.
The Rangers—NGO-employed security personnel—safeguard the forest and the wildlife within the conservation area from encroachers. They have living-out home range structures, a team that monitors the wild animals within the conservation area and management officers.
These management officers carry out conservation education outreaches within the fringe communities. They also have stakeholders who oversee the project in the community: they are open to visitors, interns, research and study.
6. In five sentences, describe a typical day at work for you as a conservationist.
I carry out autecology.
I take synecology
I train rangers, eco-clubs and interns/volunteers on how to use some applications in the field.
I take the distribution of wildlife species within the conservation area.
I collect data, analysis, and report it.
7. Kindly share your most memorable moment as a conservationist. I mean the good and the bad.
I have a lot of negative memories, but I will share a few. I could remember while I was in the field and I crossed over a giant ball python without knowing. When I discovered it was a snake, I almost fainted because the scenario was so crazy. If I had stepped on the snake, I can't say what would have happened to me by now.
Another day when I encountered the chimpanzee, I was so terrified because the call was scary. I had to run first before I can find myself 😂
The day I saw a chimpanzee, I was very happy. I have also had opportunities to represent my organization outside the country.
8. What's it like explaining your job and research interest to people? Do you get more support than criticism?
I don’t get support in this environment because most of the people I’m living with are farmers, and we are enemies.
However, some people would encourage me to go and get a job in Lagos and Abuja, saying I should leave the bush for them, that my profession is not relevant in Nigeria, and that the government does not care about conservation. I usually face *shege while explaining myself to the people around me.
9. What are you learning presently that is uncomfortable but necessary? (It could be science, spiritual, personal development, etc.).
Thank you for this question, I would like to grow more in my spiritual life, but I find it difficult. Most times, I spend three whole weeks inside the forest. I find it difficult to cope with fasting, missing fellowships, and wandering inside the forest. I don’t have much time to stay in a network area, so I have a limited social life; often missing out on online training, programs, and events like weddings, birthday parties, and science conferences.
10. How would you like to be known?
My prayer is to be known as a great conservationist who brings change to society and the whole world, a nature activist, and a wildlife researcher.
11. If you could share three ideas to improve animal conservation in Nigeria and Africa in general, what would they be?
Creating awareness about conservation by employing part-time educators to visit schools. For example, Combatant environmental pollution was one of my initiatives founded in the northern part of the country. I was able to plant trees in environments with high adverse effects of climate change, dry environment, high temperature, and drought and in primary and secondary schools community in Alekaleri local government area in Bauchi state.
Improve government policy on conservation.
Advocacy and international collaboration.
12. What's the weirdest science career or term you have heard about?
Ophiology and melittology are the weirdest careers I have ever heard of in conservation.
13. If you could do anything aside from Conservation and Biodiversity, what would you be?
Farming; mechanized farming.
*shege: It's Nigerian slang for unpleasant and extreme circumstances.
I hope you enjoyed this interview and learnt something new. You can like, share and encourage someone to subscribe.
If you can spare 3 minutes, kindly leave a comment encouraging Bamidele and other conservationists or share your thoughts.
Say a word of prayer for everyone and enjoy your weekend.
Gratitude is a choice.
An interesting and insightful piece, really nice learning and gaining more knowledge about the work that Conservationist do for us to have a healthier planet, and also ensure that the wildlife animals are safe.
A job well done