Hatorgodo (V/R), Oct. 31, GNA - It has been established that Sitatunga, an endangered animal species, thought to have gone extinct in West Africa is in the Avu Lagoon, located between Akatsi and Keta, Mr Edward Ahiabor, Keta District Executive (DCE) has disclosed. He was addressing the chiefs and people of Hatorgodo and satellite communities at their maiden "fofonza", sugarcane festival at Hatorgodo at the weekend.

Sitatunga, which belongs to the antelope family, is the world's only known amphibious antelope, but much bigger. It is said to be about the size of a cow and has the ability to walk marshy vegetation and escape under water.

Mr Ahiabor said a multi-purpose project called the Avu Lagoon Sitatunga Conservation Initiative, to preserve the animal and its habitat, covering about hundred acres, would take off next year. He said the project was expected be an international eco-tourism centre, which could generate revenue for the locals and the nation. Mr Ahiabor, who appealed to the people around the lagoon to stop hunting the sitatunga, said Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) and the International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) would handle the project.

He said the project would give the communities around the Avu lagoon a healthier wetland environment, wider range of economic activities, accessibility to potable water, better roads and electricity, among others.

Mr Ahiabor said the capacity of the people would be developed to co-manage the project in the five-year initial term of the scheme.