Gungun Sarki Street, Yauri, Kebbi State, has been transformed to a small tourist hub in recent times. The street, ordinary in outlook, has been playing host to visitors and residents alike, following the presence of four reptiles.
The eye-catching reptiles responsible for the huge buzz include a crocodile and three middle-aged tortoises.
A guard at the mini-zoo where they are kept, Abubakar Ahmed, told Daily Sun the three tortoises, also known as Kukuru, Ahihiya, have been quartered in the area for the past 12 years. They were brought home when they were three years old. The crocodile, aged seven, was brought home when it was very tender:
“While the tortoises are allowed to roam around the compound; the crocodile was restricted inside the reservoir from where it is fed with meats, including chicken thrown down by their guardian.
“Beyond their caregiver, the tortoises are also protected by the presence of two snarling dogs that are always alert to their safety, especially from any form of threat from the visitors.
“The two male tortoises were brought home in 2014 when they were three years old. Their female counterpart was brought home in 2018. Since then, they have been attended to by my father, a lover of animals. Our area has become a form of tourist attraction as these animals have continued to grow bigger and bigger.
“Because of these tortoises, we have been hosting a lot of visitors, including residents of Yauri. Though we are not collecting any money from members of the public who show interest, we are always delighted whenever tourists come around to see these creatures.
“My dogs know that the animals belong to us. Any attempt to hurt them or steal them will be resisted by them. If you carry sticks now and make an attempt to hit these tortoises, my two dogs will start barking to raise the alarm. If you don’t stop, the two of them will attack you.”
Aishat Abdullahi, a resident of old Yauri, said: “It is because of these tortoises that I visit this area every evening, after closing hours. There is no need to go to the zoo anymore.
“This is because we have these animals here. The owner has created a semi-zoo for us here. We are all in this community, where animals are protected from being attacked and are loved.”
Another resident, Fausiyya Muhammad, brought her children to have a view of the tortoises. She said did not pay any money, before being allowed to see the animals with her children.