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Assessment of Anti-Poaching Effectiveness in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria
Abstract
Abstract: This study assessed the effectiveness of anti-poaching activities as it tends to curtail the rate of different forms of threats facing biodiversity conservation in Old Oyo National Park between 2001 and 2015. Data was obtained from administrative records of the park for the period and analyzed using descriptive statistics and least square regression. The results showed irregular trends in park expenditure, park staff and arrest of poachers with an annual mean of ₦119,876,868.70 ($328,429.78), 229.8± 36.46 and 95.2±33.76 respectively. The results also showed variation in the rate of poacher’s arrest across the various ranges in the park with Oyo-Ile range having the highest number (454) of arrest, grazing in the park had the highest number of offenders being arrested (682) and majority of the poachers’ offences were compounded (970) during prosecution. The study recommends adequate funding to ensure that protection officers are well equipped and motivated to ensure a higher productivity and also modalities be put in place to ensure apart from arrest and prosecution of offenders, a partnership with the support zone communities is achieved to ensure effective biodiversity conservation in the park.
Research into the protection of protected areas against bushmeat poachers placing snares:
1. How can snaring hotspots be identified?
2. Can the expertise of rangers be used in predicting snaring hotspots?
3. Can current patrolling patterns be improved?
The study examined revenue generation trend and perception of challenges facing it by forestry personnel in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data for the study was generated through primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved the use of questionnaire which was administered to all Forest Officers and Uniformed Field Staff in all the 31 Forest Division and Headquarter in the state. Secondary sources involved collation of generated revenue from all the divisions for the study period. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including Least square regression. The results indicated an increasing trend in forest revenue for the state statistically defined by the function y=45631x-900000000＋e (p＞0.05) with a coefficient of determination of 0.7492 or 74.92%. There was also a positive correlation (r=0.866) between generated revenue and year for the 20 years under review. The mean revenue was ₦4776247.00 with the highest generated revenue (₦9823550.00) in 2014. However, majority (55.13%) of the respondents perceived revenue generation in the state to be decreasing and attributed the decline majorly to lack of mobility (16.84%) and insufficient man power (15.79%). Attitude and level of offence in the study area was perceived to be fairly cooperative (62.81%) and high (43.80%), while recruitment of more personnel (11.05%) and provision of mobility (10.03%) was considered an effective means of improving revenue generation in the state. Also, educating the people and regular patrol by forest personnel was considered as the best ways of curtailing forest offences in the area. The study recommended increased allocation of funds to the sector in addition to tackling the challenges faced by the personnel.
This paper analyzed and evaluated the efficiency of forestry sector in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It examined the nature of Return to Scale (RTS) of the sector and measured the extent of overall technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency (SE) offorestry sector using the non-parametric approach, data envelopment analysis (DEA). This approach also determined the causes of inefficiency in forestry sector. The data for the study was obtained from the entire forest division and forestry directorate in the state from 1996–2015. The results showed that the forestry sector was only efficient for 10 years out of the 20 years studied and had a mean efficiency score of 81.74%. Also, the sector operated at 97.96% of its productive scale size, thereby operating at decreasing Return-to-Scale (RTS) for eight years and increasing Return-to-Scale (IRS) for two years only. It is suggested that the forestry sector must vary its reduction in inputs and adopt innovations in order to optimize its scale of operation.
It is generally accepted that financial considerations represent one ofthe most important factor that have an impact on the implementation of sustainable forest management. The study examined revenue generation as it contribute to sustainable forest management in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between 2001 and 2010 using secondarydata on targeted and actual revenue, expenditure and revenue allocation. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including achievement index. The results indicate a positive correlation (r = 0.79) between the targeted and actual revenue for the ten years under review. The actual generated revenue was ₦50,598,666 (USD 160,758.54) during the period under review (2001-2010). The state government approved a total of ₦470 million for the development of the forestry sector, yet a total of₦48.419 million was released over the period. The amount released for forestry development in the state was 95.26% of the generated revenue indicating that a greater percentage of the generated revenue was being invested back in forestry development in the state.
The research assesses the illegal activities carried out by rural dwellers in selected support zone communities of Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba State, Nigeria. The method adopted includes; structured questionnaires administered to four support zone communities (n=120), namely Gumti, Goje, Mayo Salbe and Gashaka and park protection staff (n=40); oral interview and desk review. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistic (frequency, percentages and chart). Results analyzed revealed that majority (71.7%) of the respondents are males while 28.3% are female. The major occupations of the rural dweller were farming (36.7%) and livestock rearing (18.3%), more so, Livestock grazing (38.3%), farming (22.5%) and poaching are the major illegal activities affecting biodiversity in the park and being identified by the park protection staff. In addition, anti-poaching activities and education were the major roles carried out by the park management to mitigate the illegal activities. Based on the oral interview, a reasonable number of respondents were aware of the need to conserve wildlife and as well willing to support it if being involved. It is hoped that the recommendations of this study when implemented would reduce the illegal activities, promote conservation effort and enhanced community participation.
The study assessed the population of Sclater's guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri Pocock 1904) in Ikot Uso Akpan community forest. Line transect method with its census protocol was adopted for the survey. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means, and frequency. The result shows that all the parameters measured across the two season showed no significant difference (p < 0.05) except for the differences in the sighting distances between the dry and rainy season which was observed to be significantly different (p < 0.05). The species had a mean encounter rate of 1.18km-1, cluster/group density of 16.86±0.99km-1, individual density of 82±2.64km-1, population density of 57.40±1.85km-1, Biomass density of 266.5±8.58kg/km2, and a population mass of 190.35±9.81kg. Habitat degradation as a result of logging in the area is on the increase and has attendant negative impact on the population structure of Sclater’s guenon in the study area resulting in an ageing population. Adequate measures are urgently needed to restore and conserved the forest fragment to ensure the survival of the endemic primate species in the study area.
Cross River National Park (CRNP) is a naturally endowed "biodiversity hotspot" with diverse resources ranging from picturesque topography, rivers, fauna and flora. However, the rate of illegal activities in the park is posing serious threats to these resources. This study investigated different forms of threats facing biodiversity conservation in the park between 1991 and 2012. The study revealed that logging, fishing/water poisoning, illegal entry and collection of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) were the common forms of threats in the park. Logging was ranked as the major threat to biodiversity conservation in the park by 42.05% of the respondents, while illegal entry posed the least threat (2.27%). Management constraints identified as threats to biodiversity conservation were inadequate funding, inadequate patrol equipment, unmotivated staff (poor salary) and inadequate support from communities bordering the park. The highest arrest of poachers (79) was recorded in 2008. Implications of these threats are loss of habitat, reduction in fauna resources amongst others.
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.
Ecological buffer zones are very crucial in minimizing the impact of land use practices close to protected areas, though there is no consensus surrounding their objectives, location, area and the level of their permitted use. This study therefore assessed the challenges of buffer zone management in some (adjacent) support zone communities in Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. Data were obtained through questionnaire interviews and reconnaissance survey and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results showed that a high percentage (68.68%) of the respondents in the division were not aware of the existence of the buffer zone and the policies governing it. 74.42% believed that the Park has left them poorer. Only 11.21% accepted that they have enjoyed tremendous benefits as a result of the establishment of Park and its buffer zone. A chi-square analysis showed that the people were not aware of the existence, creation and policy governing buffer zone management and were therefore not in favour of its operations. These developments might be adduced to the low level of awareness of Park laws and buffer zone management policies by these communities. It is therefore recommended that public enlightenment campaigns should be stepped up to educate the populace on the need to abide by the laws and policies governing the Park and its buffer zone. Social amenities including classroom blocks, health centers, roads, water and electricity should be provided by the management of the park including training in a number of livelihood options like beekeeping and non timber forest product farming. This is expected to reduce the pressure by the local communities on the resources of the park and its buffer zone.
This study was aimed at assessing the vegetation structure of Sclater's guenon habitat in Ikot Uso Akpan forest, Itu, Southeastern Nigeria. Two sample plots (50 m × 50 m and 70 m × 50 m) were used for the vegetation assessment. Descriptive statistics and Computer program (Tree Draw and Stand Visualization System (SVS)) were used for the vegetation analysis. A total of 72 tree species belonging to 20 families were enumerated. Habitat degradation was severe in the study area negatively impacting on the habitat of the endemic primate species in the area. Urgent conservation measures are needed to restore and preserve the forest fragment to ensure the survival of the primate species in the study area.
Poaching of wildlife has continued to be the major problem confronting national parks managersin Nigeria in spite of effort being made to curb the ugly trend. This paper examined the anti-poaching programme of the Cross River National Park Okwango Division Nigeria from 2002 to2013, with a view to making recommendations for the improvement of the programme. Focusedgroup discussions, personal interviews, review of official records and structured questionnaireswere used to collect data. Analysis of variance using randomized complete block design and stu-dent’s t-test were used to analyse data. Result showed that 1 - 5 arrests of poachers per month perpatrol station was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than 6 arrests and above. On the other hand, thenumber of hunters’ sheds and traps destroyed had 21 and above being significantly (P < 0.05)higher than 20 and below. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the number of poach-ers arrested and fined between 2002 to 2006 and 2007 to 2011. The low performance of the an-ti-poaching programme was attributed to poorly equipped rangers’ posts as well as well the ab-sence of alternative livelihood options in the enclave and surrounding communities. It was rec-ommended that more rangers should be employed, and the rangers should be adequately kitted,well equipped patrol stations be constructed and the enclave and surrounding communities beinvolved in the management of the National Park in addition to providing them with alternativelivelihood options.
This study examined the rate of wildlife poaching in Cross River National Park (CRNP) and the park's management strategies in combating it. The primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and Semi-Structured Interviews (SSI). A total of 90 enumerator–administered questionnaires were randomly administered to 15 hunters in 6 support zone communities namely; Aking, Osomba, Akor, Obung, Ifumkpa and Owai. The randomly selected communities represent 20% of the 30 communities which were easily accessed by road. Also, ten (10) management staff of CRNP was sampled to elicit information on the management strategies of the park to combat poaching in the support zone communities. The secondary data was collected from related literatures, journals and bulletin. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical technique. The result indicated that majority of the respondents were married (46.67%), literate (85.57%), within the age class of 24-59 years (86.67%), mostly full time hunters (45.56%) and 37.78% earned between ₦4,000 and ₦7,000 weekly. Also, majority of the respondents were aware of the park existence (68.69%), park legislation (71.55%) and the reason for its creation to include conservation (70.48%). Moreover, 74.4% of the respondents in the support zone communities hunt with their guns, 70.00% hunted in group preferring a group size of 3-4 people and elephant was the least preferred animal to hunt (7.3%). However, 64.44% of the respondents hunted on a daily basis, 33.33% killed 3-4 animals/day and 43% of the respondents trek 10km and above during their hunting expedition. Furthermore, 70% of the interviewed park staff agreed that the rate of poaching in the area was high and 50% of them identified Anti-poaching patrols as the most effective way to check poaching in the area. Involvement of the support zone communities in the management of the park is recommended to ensure the goal of establishing the park.
