By Our Reporter
A philanthropist, Innocent Onwubiko, on Wednesday formally adopted three lions from the Imo Zoological Garden and Wildlife Park, Owerri.
Onwubiko disclosed this to newsmen after signing a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of the park.
The philanthropist said that he decided to adopt the animals in order to support wildlife conservation in the country.
He promised to cater for the wellbeing of the lions until the end of the MoU.
“I want to support Imo government to sustain the life of the lions because to feed a lion is very expensive.
“I am a lover of nature and this is one of the ways Onwubiko Foundation will show love to animals and promote wildlife conservation in the country,” he said.
He commended the Imo government for approving the adoption of the lions and advised for an upgrade of the state government-owned facility to international standard.
Also, the General Manager of the park, Mr Francis Abioye, said that the adoption followed the signing of a one-year MoU between the management and Onwubiko Foundation.
Abioye commended Onwubiko for showing interest in wildlife preservation, adding, “This is the first time in the history of Imo that an animal is adopted by an individual.
“This arrangement will help to sustain the lifespan of the lions because they are special species, known as West African Lion,” he said..
According to Abioye, when any specie of plant or animal is extinct from the system, the world changes.
“So,our generation should preserve them from going into extinction,” Abioye said.
