Collaborative indigineous partnership in biodiversity conservation: focus on Cross River National Park, Nigeria

Support Zone Communities (SZCs) involvements in Cross River National Park (CRNP) biodiversity conservation were assessed in this study. Eleven communities at 0-12km distance to the park were selected for data collection. Structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion were used to solicit information from community members. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi- square and correlation. Result showed that willingness to contribute to effective conservation of wildlife was high (84.4%), contributions in the forms of non-involvement in poaching (62.0%) was highest. Communities awareness of biodiversity conservation and their level of involvement in mitigating threats to biodiversity were significantly related (χ²=12.69). Also, there was significant association between educational status (r =- 0.11, p<0.05) and communities participation in threat mitigation. However, poor sensitization/mobilization (Weighted Mean=108.93) and bureaucracy (WM=106.47) were the major challenges to communities involvement in park management. Therefore, effective protection of park resources and engagement of SZCs should be the direction of CRNP to ensure sustainability.Keywords: Biodiversity, Park, Participation, Support Zone Community, Threa

Visitors’ motivation and willingness to pay for conservation in selected zoos in southwest Nigeria

The motivation and willingness to pay for ecotourism and wildlife conservation at the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University Zoos in Southwest Nigeria were investigated. Structured Questionnaire was used to elicit information from two hundred and forty (240) visitor and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (Chi-Square, Correlation) statistics. Findings from this study show that 50.4% of the visitors were female, 37.9% and 37.1% were within the age range of 15-24 years and 25-54 years respectively, 46.7% were married, and 43.3% attained to tertiary level of education. Furthermore, 66.2% of the visitors were employed with 39.6% earning ₦81, 000 (265.57 USD) and above as their monthly income. The main motivations of the zoo visitors are to see the condition of habitat and diversity of wildlife at the zoos, proximity to their residence and viewing wild animals. The starting bid for visitors to the zoos shows their willingness to pay for conservation services at the zoos. Income (r = 0.25, p = 0.00) had effect on the visitation pattern of the visitors. Relationship exists between the visitors’ motivation (r = 0.23, p = 0.00) and their level of satisfaction. The age (r = 0.15, p = 0.02), income (r = 0.13, p = 0.04), marital status (χ2 = 68.79, p = 0.01), religion (χ2 = 45.06, p = 0.04) of the visitors have impact on their willingness to pay for conservation at the zoos.Keywords: Zoo, Ecotourism, Wildlife conservation, and Wildlife managemen

Willingness to pay for captive wildlife tourism at the university of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Nigeria

Zoo visits represent a unique opportunity for large numbers of people to be engaged on wildlife conservation issues and given opportunity to support it. The University of Ibadan Zoo is one of the major sites with animals of high intrinsic value and attractions to tourists and other visitors. Copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 165 visitors to the zoo to elicit information on their socio-demography in relation to their paying characteristics, their willingness to pay (WTP) for the services offered by the Zoo, and the factors influencing their WTP. The Result showed that majority (51.5%) of the visitors were males and 48.5% were females. 61% of the visitors had repeated visits while 39% were first time visitors. Although, 76% of them were often willing to pay for captive wildlife tourism in the Zoo, 52% of the visitors were not satisfied with the current charges by the Zoo. Income, marital status and place of residence of the visitors were significantly related to visitors willingness to pay (p<0.05). Five factors significantly influence visitors’ WTP, out of which, the level of satisfaction of the visitors had the highest weighted mean of 4.39, and hence the highest influence on visitors’ WTP. Zoo visitors will be willing to pay more for captive wildlife tourism at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, if the facilities, services and conservation strategies are improved to provide more satisfaction to visitors.Keywords: University of Ibadan Zoo, wildlife, visitors, willingness to pay, level of satisfactio

Performance characteristics, nutrient digestibility and blood profile of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera seed powder

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera seed powder (MSP). Twenty-four male growing rabbits of mixed breeds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Each treatment group was further sub-divided into three (3) replicates of two (2) rabbits each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four diets were formulated to include MSP at varying inclusion levels of 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% for treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, which were pelletized. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. Data were collected on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of rabbits fed the experimental diet while at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of MSP on haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbits. Result revealed that the average daily feed intake (68.76-78.93g) decreased significantly (p<0.05) across the dietary treatments as the MSP inclusion levels increased but a rise was noticed at the highest inclusion level of MSP (T4). The weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly influenced (p >0.05) by the dietary treatments. No significant differences (P>0.05) among treatments were observed on all the blood profile except the lymphocyte, monocytes, total protein and globulin. Rabbits on T4 recorded the highest values in total protein (6.91 g/dl) and globulin (3.03 g/dl). Digestibility studies however showed that all the parameters were significantly affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatments in which rabbits on T2 had the highest dry matter (82.03%), crude protein (62.23%) and ash (89.48%) digestibility values. It can be concluded that Moringa oleifera seed powder (MSP) can be supplemented in growing rabbit’s diet without any deleterious effects on performance, blood profile and nutrient digestibility.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Performance, Blood profile, Nutrient digestibility, Rabbit

Perceived Values of the Potentials of Mountains and Hills for the Development of Tourism in Ekiti State Southwest Nigeria

: This study examined the perceived values of the potentials of mountains and hills for the development in Ekiti State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 500 respondents from community residents and 384 visitors while questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, and means, while inferential statistical tools such as t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and regression were used to test the hypotheses. The results of the hypotheses showed that there was statistically significant difference between the way community residents and visitors perceived the values of mountains and hills tourism development in Ekiti State in terms of non-use value (t=5.06**, p<0.01), recreation value (t=6.63**, p<0.01), intrinsic value (t=8.68**, p<0.01), use value (t=2.77**, p<0.01). The implication of the study is that the development of mountains and hills tourism in these communities will create both positive and negative responses arising from their varied opinions which will help to shape the entire structure and its future growth and development. It was recommended that the government of Ekiti should partner with the interested individuals and private sectors to develop mountains and hills in Ekiti communities so as to give tourism a jolt to prominence. Keywords: Communities, Visitors, non-use, recreation, intrinsic, us