By Our Correspondent
A documentary filmmaker and tourism advocate, Ambassador Ken, has called on the Rivers State Government, Andoni Local Government Council, and relevant tourism authorities to take urgent steps to protect the wildlife in Andoni and develop the area into a viable ecotourism destination.
The appeal follows renewed sightings of elephants in parts of Andoni Local Government Area, which have continued to attract widespread attention on social media whenever photographs and videos emerge online.
Speaking on the issue, Ambassador Ken expressed concern that despite years of repeated elephant sightings, little has been done to protect the animals or transform the area into a sustainable tourism asset.
According to him, each sighting follows the same pattern, with residents recording videos, sharing them online, discussing them briefly, and then moving on without any concrete conservation efforts.
He noted that the Rivers State Government and tourism authorities are already aware of the presence of elephants in Andoni, stressing that the focus should now shift from social media excitement to long-term conservation and tourism development.
The tourism advocate described Andoni’s forests, wetlands, mangroves, beaches, and wildlife as some of the Niger Delta’s greatest ecotourism assets, arguing that a properly managed wildlife sanctuary, backed by professional conservation programmes and community-based tourism initiatives, could generate billions of naira annually, create employment opportunities, attract researchers, and preserve endangered species for future generations.
Ambassador Ken also recounted an experience during a documentary expedition to Bukuma in Degema Local Government Area, where his team encountered large numbers of monkeys moving freely through the rainforest canopy as well as several rare bird species.
He said the experience highlighted the immense but largely undocumented biodiversity across many riverine communities in Rivers State, adding that these natural resources remain underutilised despite their enormous tourism potential.
According to him, communities such as Andoni, Bukuma and other riverine areas possess unique ecological attractions capable of positioning Rivers State as a leading ecotourism destination if properly protected and promoted.
He lamented that while many countries generate substantial revenue through wildlife conservation, ecotourism and scientific research, similar opportunities in the Niger Delta continue to be overlooked.
Ambassador Ken further disclosed that he has often faced criticism and stereotyping while advocating for tourism development because he is not an indigene of Rivers State.
Despite the challenges, he said he remains committed to promoting the state’s tourism potential and urged government, host communities, conservation experts and private investors to collaborate in protecting the region’s rich biodiversity for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
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