Kids’ TV show aims to raise awareness on importance of Nigeria’s wildlife, biodiversity

Wild Africa Fund, a non-profit organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation, has launched Nigeria’s first wildlife show for children, called the Dr. Mark Animal TV Show. Aimed at kids between the ages of seven and 14, the show will air on Saturdays at 8.45 a.m. on Silverbird TV, DSTV Channel 252, StarTimes Channel 109, and GOTV Channel 92/192. 

The show seeks to educate children about Nigeria’s amazing wildlife and the need to protect them. The show will feature fun facts about animals such as pangolins, lions, African grey parrots, and dogs, and will culminate in a quiz competition to inspire retentive knowledge in kids. 

The move comes as Nigeria has become a hub for illegal wildlife trading, Nigeria Customs Service has made several major seizures of these items, leading to a sharp decline in the country’s wildlife and biodiversity. Moreover, there is a growing appetite for bushmeat consumption, especially among urban dwellers in Nigeria, which has significantly impacted the country’s wildlife and biodiversity. 

Conservationists estimate that Nigeria has fewer than 50 lions, 100 gorillas, 500 elephants, and 2,300 chimpanzees left in the wild. Ignorance and low awareness about Nigeria’s amazing biodiversity and the importance of wild animals in the environment have contributed to the continuous destruction of Nigeria’s wildlife.

To combat these existential challenges, Wild Africa Fund aims to raise public awareness and provide educational materials that educate the general public, especially young people who are best equipped to save the environment for future generations. 

Peter Knights, the Founder of Wild Africa Fund and the Executive Producer of the new TV show, believes that children will enjoy the show and learn about the importance of protecting wild animals for their future. The Dr. Mark Animal TV Show seeks to enlighten children on the human and ecological importance of wild animals.

According to Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Fund Nigeria’s representative, the animal show comes at a time when local content for children, especially on the environment, is nonexistent. The Wild African Fund plans to invest in educational wildlife content that will empower children as the next generation of wildlife ambassadors. Iyorah expects children to impact their cycle of influence with what they learned from watching the show.

The Dr. Mark Animal TV Show is a significant step towards educating Nigerian children on wildlife conservation and the need to protect their environment. By empowering the next generation of wildlife ambassadors, Wild Africa Fund hopes to make a positive impact in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade and the destruction of Nigeria’s wildlife and biodiversity.