Nigeria probes 'horrific' video of endangered manatee being dragged along the ground
Nigeria's environment ministry has launched an investigation after discovering a video of an endangered manatee being dragged along a road by a group of men.
The video shows the manatee, also known as a sea cow, tied in ropes and being dragged along the dusty road after trying to escape.
Nigeria's deputy environment minister, Sharon Ikeazor, has branded the video "very distressing" and said officials were trying to rescue the creature.
Ms Ikeazor said the incident occurred in the Niger Delta region she "strong condemns" the actions of cruelty shown in the footage.
Manatees are supposedly protected due to major declines in their numbers over the last decade, however Ms Ikeazor said the issue needs more attention and people must be educated in order to protect the species.
Manatees are a large sea mammal that feed mostly off sea grass hence their nickname 'sea cow'. AP/AAP
The video has sparked outrage particularly among environmentalists and animal protection groups including the Blue Planet Society who described the video as "horrific".
"That a supposedly protected West African manatee can be abused in such a public way in Nigeria is shocking. Much more effort is needed in raising levels of protection, education and awareness for these gentle animals in all the countries where they exist," a spokesperson told Animal Reader.
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