Relationship between anthropogenic activities and occurrence of the chimpanzees(Pan troglodytes) in Oluwa forest reserve, Nigeria

No Abstract

Hunting and Trading in the Nigerian Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellerosus) in Gashaka- Mambilla Region, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the extent of hunting and trading on the Nigerian chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellerosus) in the Gashaka-Mambilla region, Nigeria. A total of 231 respondents selected using random sampling technique were sampled in 27 towns and villages of six local Government areas in Taraba and Adamawa states. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that hunting and trading in chimpanzees is an organized enterprise in the region. Chimpanzees were sourced mainly from the Gashaka- Gumti National Park. Price of live Baby chimpanzee goes for about N10, 000.00, while big animal fetched between N 15,000.00 - N 30,000.00. The marketing of chimpanzees is not usually an open activity as about 36.4% of the respondents reported the marketing to be in the night, 8.7% reported it to be by day, 19.9 % reported it to be by both time periods. Means of transporting chimpanzees for sale were most often by trekking 40.7 %, motor bike 35.1%, commercial vehicles 7.4% and horses and donkeys 3.9%. Chimpanzees’ hunting and trade are carried out all the seasons round. The major chimpanzee markets identified are located in Maihulla,Gembu, Wukari and Bali within the region. Hunting and trading in chimpanzees constitute one of the greatest threats to chimpanzee conservation in the Gashaka-Mambilla region. Efforts are needed in the area of protection and awareness of conservation benefit to the local people of the region to be able to combat this menace

Assessment of the Large Mammals of Arakhuan Range, Okomu National Park, Nigeria

An assessment of the large mammals of Arakhuan Range, Okomu National Park, Edo State, Nigeria, was carried out using land transect methods. A total of 12 large mammalian species were observed (eight directly and four by their signs). These are made up of four primate species; Red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), White-throated monkey (C. erythrogaster pocoki), and Putty-nosed monkey (C. nictitans ludio), three species of antelope: Maxwell duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli), Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), and Red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus), and a species of mangoose (Herpestes sp). Those observed through their activities were forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cylotis), forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), civet cat (Viverra civetta) and the red river hog (Patamochoerus porcus). Altogether, 145 sightings of animals were recorded during the study period. Mona monkeys were most commonly sighted (sighted 37 times, producing 0.22 sighting/km)-2 and population of 1970.93±412.93 individuals. The yellow-backed duiker was very rare in the range as it was sighted three times with an estimated population of 9 ± 2 individuals. There is very strong correlation between sightings in the morning and that of evening (r = 0.94, P < 0.05). However, there were significant differences in sighting on transects (χ2 cal. = 35.18, χ2 tab. = 32.7, df = 10, P < 0.05) indicating that sightings are transect-dependent. Over 50% of all sightings were achieved in the matured forest.Keywords: Mammals, line transect, sightings, estimated population

Woody vegetation status on different altitudinal gradients of an ecotourism destination: Arinta waterfall, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Altitude plays key roles in determining plant distribution and biodiversity patterns. The importance of vegetation should not be undermined because it is one of the primary factors that determine the eligibility of ecotourism sites. This study was undertaken at Arinta Waterfall, Ekiti State, Nigeria with an aim to determine the woody species composition, structure and the influence of altitude (<440m, 440m . 480m, >480m) on the floristic character of the study area. The Point Centered Quadrant method was employed. A total number of thirty-six (36) different woody species belonging to twenty seven (27) families of woody trees were recorded. Number of species, number of families, mean height and mean diameter at breast height were significantly different among the three selected altitudes (P.0.05). Richness, Shannon Wiener diversity index, Simpson  evenness index and mean tree canopy were not significantly different (P.0.05). The vegetation of Arinta   waterfall still possesses some potential for conservation purposes. Logging activities and agricultural    activities are the major human threats at the site. Therefore, there is a need of re-orientation program for the   host communities in order to change their value system into imbibing biodiversity conservation and   ecotourism development. The supervising ministry on tourism and forestry in Ekiti State, Nigeria in charge of this site should take immediate step to halt further degradation of the habitat cover.Keywords: Altitude, woody vegetation, waterfall, human activities, ecotouris

Population status of olive baboon Papio anubis (lesson, 1827) in Kainji lake national park, Nigeria

The study assessed the population status of Olive Baboon Papio anubis in Kainji Lake National Park, in both sectors of the park. Direct count was carried out on the line transect where activities of Olive Baboon Papio anubis was observed during reconnaissance survey. It involves counting of individual or group of individual species sighted. While the indirect method involves gathering information on current locations for primate through consultation with experience Park Rangers, hunters, farmers and community leaders, counting of animal index such as feacal droppings, foot prints, calls, and feeding remnants, within each transect. These were related to relative abundance/distribution of Primates in a particular area at a particular time. Data was collected from November, 2017-August, 2019. Data was analyzed using distance software. Student t-test was used to compare between wet and dry seasons population. The results were presented in tables. The overall Population estimation revealed Papio anubis has the highest mean abundance (19 ± 0), population density (0.042 ± 0.000) and relative abundance of (6 ± 0) at Oli range and the species was not observed in the two ranges of Zugurma sector of the park. Individuals and troops recorded during the dry seasons exceeded those of the wet seasons in all the sectors during the study. The population structures (age and sex) adult female Olive Baboon has the highest mean of individual in all seasons with (140 ± 41) the least in the troop been the Sub-adult male with (32 ±6). The Olive baboons were observed to be social and a very popular attraction for park staff that resident in the Oli camp, visitors and researches alike. Keywords: Baboon, Population, status, age structure, sex structur

Assessment of the Chimpanzee Populations in Akure-Ofosu Forest Reserve, Southwestern Nigeria

The status of chimpanzee populations in western Nigeria was poorly known, and they were judged to be highly threatened, and a plan for their conservation needed. Information on the presence, distribution and abundance of chimpanzees in Akure-Ofosu reserve was obtained from interviews and by making wide-ranging reconnaissance surveys in the company of local guides.  Ten short series of line-transect censuses was also conducted.  Field work was conducted in March-April 2007 and September-October 2007. Three main areas were identified as still supporting chimpanzee populations in Akure-Ofosu Forest Reserve.   These are the Premier Gantry/Benin-Olojoda Road Junction, an area called Double Bridge, and east of Jingbe a settlement between Akure-Ofosu and Idanre Forest Reserves. No direct sighting of chimpanzees was achieved however, a total of 33 nests were counted at four sites.   Twenty-five (75.8%) of the nests were observed in a single forest block (Double Bridge).  The remaining eight nests (24.2%) were observed in two locations within a second forest block (Jingbe). Other primate species encountered include mona monkey, white-throated monkey, putty-nosed monkey and red-capped mangabey. Hunting and intensive exploitation of timber are the main threats to the chimpanzees in the reserve. Akure-Ofosu Forest Reserve does appear to have potential as a chimpanzee conservation site in southwestern Nigeria, especially in combination with such adjacent forests as Idanre.Key words: chimpanzee populations, wide-ranging reconnaissance and forest bloc