Nature reserves are key in the general preservation of nature, especially animal species that face the risk of extinction.

There are those animals that may not necessarily be at the risk of extinction, but their rare existence in certain areas warrants that authorities at nature reserves make it possible for people to see them.

Apart from the opportunities this will offer for the satisfaction of individual curiosity, the nature reserves are generally of great significance in academic circles.

Tourism is another sector that immensely relates with the preservation of life. This makes institutions like the Abuko Nature Reserve and the Kachikally Crocodile Pool very important.

However, recent reports from these reserves are quite disturbing. First we heard of the escaped lion a couple of years ago, which caused havoc among other defenceless creatures that were unfortunate to have been around his den.

But thanks to some gallant men and women of the Gambia Armed Forces, human beings were saved from a potentially dangerous beast. It was, however, unfortunate that we had to lose such a valuable animal. And now it is a hyena.  Even as we fathom the impact of the shaky scene caused by the escaped hyena, reports of some stray crocodiles in Bakau were also coming in.

Back to Abuko, it sounds implausible that such a beast could escape from that supposedly well secured enclosure; elude everyone, all the way to Fajikunda, unnoticed. This is not to deny the fact that the scenario actually occurred. We just cannot help wondering, as everybody would be doing by now, how this happened.  

The authorities at Abuko Nature Reserve are obliged to ensure the prevention of reocurrence of this scene. As stated above, there is absolutely no doubt that nature reserves are crucial in socio-economic development. However, adequate measures should be put in place to avoid escapes that could result to a tragedy.