Residents of Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State were left surprised after a huge elephant was reportedly spotted roaming parts of the area on Tuesday, with videos of the rare sighting quickly spreading across social media.
Eyewitnesses said the elephant was seen around communities in the Ekede axis, attracting curious residents who watched the animal from a safe distance while recording videos. The footage has since gone viral, drawing widespread reactions from Nigerians online.
Although the reason for the elephant’s appearance remains unclear, wildlife experts have noted that heavy rainfall, flooding, habitat disturbance, and other environmental factors can force wild animals to leave their natural habitats in search of safer areas or food.
No injuries or damage to property had been reported as of the time of filing this report. Residents have, however, been urged to avoid approaching or provoking the animal and to immediately notify relevant wildlife and environmental authorities if it is sighted again.
The sighting is particularly significant because Andoni is one of the few locations in Nigeria where the endangered African forest elephant is known to exist. The area is home to the proposed Andoni Elephant Park, a conservation initiative established to protect the remaining elephant population and other wildlife species.
