The University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has been selected by the federal government among institutions in the country to take custody of over 600 snakes seized from Cameroun.
A leading herpetologist in the Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management, Dr. Edem Eniang, disclosed this on Monday.
They were seized by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), in Calabar, Cross River State.
The consignments of reptiles in three boxes were ferried from the Republic of Cameroun to the agent in Lagos for onward transmission to Luxembourg, their final destination in Europe, Next Edition has learnt.
Ten reptiles’ specialists led by Dr. Eniang examinesd the animals at the institution on Monday.
Eniang stated that he was given the task of analying the true state and conditions of the animals before making recommendations to the government.
“I am to analyse and report to the federal government on the true status of the animals.”
Eniang, a former employee of the Cross River National Park, said a number of them might have been affected by offensive odour oozing out of the boxes.
UNIUYO, he said was very blessed to be recognised to take custody of the animals as it would be extremely useful for education, research, science and other academic exercises.
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