Utilization of wildlife resources in Nigeria

1987 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Primary purposes of this study were to determine: which wildlife species are being used by the people, in what quantity, and during what season; the effect of religion, culture, and tribal festivals on game species utilized; the game species utilized or consumed in different ecological zones; which game species and parts of wild animals are used for healing and preventive medicine in each ecological zone; and to assess the economic and recreational values of the utilized wildlife. The three ecological zones surveyed for consumptive uses of wildlife resources in Nigeria were: savanna (Bauchi, Plateau, Niger, and Kwara states), deciduous (Anambra and Bendel states), and rain forest (Oyo and Cross River states). For nonconsumptive uses, three national parks (Kainji Lake National Park, Yankari Game Reserve, and Jos Wildlife Park) and four zoological gardens (Ibadan, Jos, Enugun, and Ogba) were surveyed. Data were collected from farmers, hunters, and visitors in each of the conservation areas through a person-to-person questionnaire interview. This study confirmed that small game were the most abundant wild animals in the three zones surveyed and most of them were located in the savanna region. This study indicates that a major proportion of animal protein consumed by farmers and hunters in the regions came from wild animals. Farmers and hunters in the savanna preferred using small game (rodents) and big game (duikers) more than in the other zones. Wildlife species were used more during installation ceremonies (of a new chief, Emir, Oba, and Obis) than in other cultural festivals. In the rain forest more species were used for installation ceremonies than in any region surveyed. During Muslim festivals in Nigeria, farmers rarely used wildlife species, but some were used to supplement income. Christians used many different wild animals for religious festivals, but more were used during the Easter period in the deciduous region than the rain forest and savanna regions. Expenditures per visitor in the three national parks showed more per capita expenditures from foreigners than Nigerians. The number of nights stayed in the national parks and game reserves is the major factor in determining how much money the visitor spent