People, Wildlife and Contest for Space in Okomu National Park, Nigeria: The Experience of the Host Communities and Managerial Perspective

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has increased globally in recent years. This is true in the case of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, Nigeria, a country rich in biodiversity. This study examines the types, nature and causes of HWC in Nigeria using Okomu National Park (ONP) and its host communities as a case study. Data were obtained through questionnaire administration and focus group discussions (FGDs). Four rural communities within five kilometers radius of ONP were selected using a simple random approach. Using the systematic sampling technique to select households, 224 copies of a questionnaire were distributed in these host communities. Convenient sampling was utilized to identify park management who were participating in FGDs. A total of ten FGDs were held, with each session lasting twenty minutes and engaging at least five participants. Information collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, mean score and content analysis. Respondents ranked crop damage as the commonest HWC while wildlife poaching, human settlements expansions and agricultural extensions are perceived as the main reasons for HWC in the host communities. Results show that a number of the host communities’ responses to HWC are not in the best interest of biodiversity conservation, safety and environmental health. The study concludes that HWC is apparent in the study area and this is likely to worsen in the near future. This study is of the opinion that effusively enforcement of wildlife poaching penalties, compensation plan, community enlightenment, sustainable land-use planning, and park management technology will do much as preventive measures to HWC in the study area