Wildlife conservation challenges in Okomu National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

Okomu National Park, Nigeria, a rainforest ecosystem is known for its endemic white-throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster) and rare red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) and a host of other forest mammals, some of which are endangered. Since its inception the area has been encroached for reasons that need to be studied. This study looked at the challenges of conserving the Park's wildlife and other resources. The Park's record of arrests and prosecution from 1999 to 2011 was used as secondary data while a four point Likert-scale questionnaire was used to obtain primary data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the arrests data and the personal data of respondents. Inferential statistics were used for responses to the Likert statements. Farming was the main offence (67%) in 1999, the year with the highest recorded offence. 84% respondents opined that wild animals could only be conserved if their habitats were protected, while 91.1% believed that poor maintenance and management of protected areas could lead to loss of wildlife. Respondents' level of education significantly affected their attitude towards wildlife conservation (P = 0.021). Age significantly affected the respondents' orientation about poaching on wildlife (P= 0.035), and their perception about government's roles on wildlife conservation (P = 0.024). Wildlife conservation education and enlightenment programmes would likely help in sustainable wildlife harvesting. Park staff could be more committed to protecting the resources when they are catered for appropriately. Creation of buffer zone could reduce Park's encroachment rate.

Conservation Attitudes and Challenges: A Study of Forest Elephants In Southern Nigeria Forests

“…Hunting persists in all the study locations as evidenced by the presence of hunters' sheds, traps and spent cartridges. This threat to biodiversity conservation is consistent with studies in PAs in Nigeria -ONP (Olaleru and Egonmwan, 2014), CRNP (Adetola and Adetoro, 2014) and Kainji National Park (Ijeomah and Ogbara, 2013). Respondents in ONP, however, asserted that hunting was not a threat to L. cyclotis as there has been no reported case of poaching in over a decade but that the road constructed through ONP by the Niger Delta Development Cooperation (NDDC) endangered the wildlife.…”

“…Conservation education, alternative means of livelihood and effective mitigation methods could help change the attitude of communities and also serve as a means for sustainable conservation strategy of these relict elephant populations The study sites, Omo Forest Reserve (OFR), Okomu National Park (ONP), Cross River National Park, Oban Division (CRNP_Ob) and Cross River National Park, Okwango Division (CRNP_Ok) are some of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Southern Nigeria. ONP, CRNP_Ob and CRNP_Ok have some relatively undisturbed high forest ecosystems (Ofem et al, 2012;Olaleru and Egonmwan, 2014;Abanyam, 2015). OFR which houses the first Strict Nature Reserve and the only Biosphere Reserve in Nigeria is highly degraded and fragmented due to anthropogenic activities such as monoculture plantations, logging, hunting, farming and a dense human population that is apparent all over the reserve (Oates et al, 2008;Ikemeh, 2009).…”

“…Fauna present in the study sites include Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla delhi) (CRNP), Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus), Bush Buck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus), Red-capped Mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), African Civet (Civettictis civetta), Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona) and Maxwell Duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli). Others are the white-throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), which is endemic to ONP, Bush pig (Potamochoerus porcus) and Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) (Oates et al, 2008;Akinsorotan et al, 2011;Ofem et al, 2012;Olaleru and Egonmwan, 2014;Abanyam, 2015).…”

Physicochemical Characteristics of the Okomu Wetland, Edo State, Nigeria

“…The enormous benefits and values of wetlands have attracted increasing worldwide importance in agriculture, aquaculture and environmental conservation (Okonkwo et al, 2015); therefore, the need to protect the remaining wetlands (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). In Nigeria, seven (7) protected areas have been identified including the Okomu National Park (Olaleru and Egonmwan, 2014) which covers an area of 202 km 2 (about 15%) of the 1,082 km 2 covered by the then Okomu Forest Reserve (Emelue and Ukandu, 2014). In the Okomu Forest Reserve abound many temporary and permanent water bodies (Ogbeibu and Victor, 1995).…”

Assessment of Water Quality of Okomu Wetland Using Water Quality Index

“…Protected areas such as National Parks are meant to conserve natural resources. Particularly in Nigeria, seven (7) protected areas have been identified including the Okomu National Park, although trespasses have been reported (Aremu et al, 2012;Olaleru and Egonmwan, 2014). The Okomu National Park formerly known as the Okomu Forest Reserve is rich and unique in its biodiversity and provides habitat to many endangered species including mammals, birds, amphibians and insects amongst others (Oates, 1995;Ogbeibu and Egborge, 1995;Aremu et al, 2012).…”