Akure residents reportedly kill rare animal, African civet with ‘valuable skin’

Residents of Akure in Ondo State have reportedly killed a rare animal known as African civet.

An X user, Martin shared a photo of the dead animal on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, saying it was killed in his neighbourhood.

Another X user, Abbazz, claims that a civet can be sold for N67m because of the skin which is valuable in making leather goods. 

“See as una waste money that animal is called a civet, they’re not wild animals, they’re not dangerous. They can be sold for 67 million naira because the skin is used in making leather bags, clothes, belts and other things. You guys just lost good money, dammmnn,” he wrote. 

The animal, described as one of the most important gifts of nature to Africa, is valued for the musk it produces which is used in the perfume industry.

The African civet is nocturnal and could be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They weigh between 7 and 20 kilograms, and are about 40 centimetres in height and between 67 and 84 centimetres in length.

While it’s not listed as endangered species, people hunt it because of its musk.