Impact of human wildlife conflict on socio-economy of support zone communities of Cross River National Park, Nigeria

Rural livelihood must be secured if biodiversity will survive. This makes it important to investigate the conflicts between rural communities in Cross River National Park (CRNP) who mostly dependent on natural resources of their immediate environment. A set of structured questionnaire was designed to gather information from support zone communities (SZC) of the park. From sampling frame of 20 and 25 listed SZCs in both Oban and Okwango Park divisions out of which four and five communities were randomly selected respectively using a sampling intensity of 20% from each list. In each of the 9 SZCs selected, 20 households were systematically selected. Data collected was augmented with Focused Group Discussions with SZC members in each selected community. All the community members surveyed engage in farming with 42.2% having alternative sources of livelihood. Most of the respondents experience the conflict between 1-10 times per year, while loss of crop ranked highest among the effects of HWC on the communities. Most of the victims attack and kill the animals as a management method in both communities. The custodians of biodiversity, prior to its protection, were the sole beneficiary of the resource. Their lives and livelihood should be secured after its protection to ensure availability of the resource in perpetuity. This calls for attention of policy makers and intervention of local, regional and international stakeholders concerned with wildlife management to ensure that sustainable development in the sub-sector is not impaired.Keywords: Human wildlife conflict, rural livelihood, biodiversity protection, conflict management, Cross River National Par

Neem (Azadirachta indica a. Juss) fruit yield determination in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

This study determined fruit yield of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in the guinea savanna of Nigeria at Makurdi. Fifteen mature neem trees which had no overlapping canopies and had not been previously pruned were purposively selected out of 207 stands growing at the study site. All ripped fruits felling from the selected trees were collected at 7 days intervals for six weeks and weighed to obtain the weekly fruit yield. Girth size was measured using a 30 meter steel tape, while crown cover was estimated by taking a perpendicular to the spreading branches and leaves round the base of the tree. Descriptive statistics were calculated on yield, girth size and crown cover. The results showed that all fruits felled within a period of 6weeks from the onset of first fruit fall. Total fruit yield per tree ranged from 31.5 to 47.7Kg, while the average was 40.5Kg. Girth size, ranged from 130cm to 275cm with a mean of 215 cm. Crown diameter ranged from 1,280cm to 1,760cm, with a mean of 1,281.3cm. Fruit yield was positively and significantly correlated with the girth size r=569* (p<0.05). Crown diameter and girth size were positively correlated(r = 0.383) but not statistically significant (p>0.05). Fruit yield and crown diameter were also positively correlated (r=0.259) but not statistically significant (p>0.05). The Linear Regression model, suggest that girth size was a better predictor of fruit yield than crown diameter. However, other variables, when employed may likely explain better, neem fruit yield variations in the study area.Keywords: Neem, Fruit yield, Guinea savanna, Makurdi

Habitat composition and population density of chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes Vellerosus) in filinga range, Gashaka- Gumti National Park, Nigeria

Habitat composition and population density of Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes vellerosus) in Filinga Range, Gashaka- Gumti National Park, Nigeria was survey to determine tree species composition and population density. The work was carried out in the wet (June – August) and dry (December -  February) seasons, 2018/2019.A systematic sampling technique was adopted for plot establishment. Ten transects measuring 2km each at 1km apart were laid and on each transect 50m x 50m plots were laid at regular interval of 500m apart with a total of forty sample plots in all. Trees with DBH ≥ 10CM were identified and enumerated. For Chimpanzee population density, direct observation and counting were made. The transect was  worked at a speed of 1 – 1.5km/hr aided with binoculars. For Each observation the following data were recorded; sex, adult, number of individual, perpendicular and sighting distance. The results obtained showed that forty-two woody species in nineteen families were identified and  enumerated with a total of six hundred and sixty nine tree species in all. The Shannon Weiner index for species diversity is 3.19. Margalef index for  species richness is 6.30 and Pielou evenness is 0.85. The composition of the woody species appeared to be average and members of the trees family’s sampled formed important components of the Chimpanzees lower stratum habitat. Chimpanzees were encountered in both wet and dry seasons with mean of 0.118 ± 0.21 and 0.122± 0.027 respectively. The findings of this study are an important step in the characterization and  understanding of the habitat and number of Chimpanzees that occupy the Park. The park may still be able to sustain the animal as long as this portion is maintained on sustainable bases. Keywords: Habitat, population, Chimpanzee, Gashaka-Gumti, Nigeri

Evaluation of wildlife pests on rural farms in Guma and Gwer-East Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the challenges confronting farmers as a result of wildlife attack on rural farms in Guma and Gwer – East Local Government Areas of Benue State. Two villages (Igbor and Abinsi) were purposively selected for the study because of their high rate of farming activities. Data was collected with the aid semi-structured household questionnaire administered randomly to fifty (50) heads of household in each study site. The results were analyzed using frequency of counts, percentages and student t-test. Collard sunbirds (Nectarinia cuprea), grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) and redtailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius) were the most disturbing crop raiders (pests) as indicated by 13%, 25%, 12% and 6% of respondents respectively. However, 13% of the respondents could not ascertain the most destructive wildlife on their farms. There was no significant difference ( P ≤ 0.05) between Igbor and Abinsi in relation to pest type. The study also revealed that farmers in the area control wildlife pests by use of chemical (40%), mechanical (33%) and biological (18%) methods. Only 9% pests were involved in direct killing. Human-wildlife conflicts could possibly resolved as reported by respondents through mixed farming, agro- forestry practices and wildlife conservation education. This perhaps could reduce the unnecessary destruction of wildlife habitats and human food resources.Keywords: Conservation, wildlife pest, raid, conflict, habita

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different dietary protein supplements

To produce high growth rate and improve carcass quality in Archachatina marginata, this study was carried out to determine which protein source would supplement pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaves in their diets. Five diets of 20% crude protein level each, were formulated. Diet 1, was fresh leaves of pawpaw alone as control. Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained in addition to processed pawpaw leaves, groundnut cake, fishmeal, soybean meal and their combinations respectively. 150 snails were allotted to five dietary treatments, replicated 3 times with 10 snails/replicate, in a Completely Randomized Design. Weight of snails and feed intake were monitored weekly. Shell parameters were measured at the start and end of study. After 10 weeks, 2 snails per replicate were randomly selected, starved for 24hrs and sacrificed for carcass analysis. Proximate analysis of feed and flesh of snails were done according to Official Methods of Analysis. Data collected were analysed using Analysis of variance in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. Results revealed that total feed intake was highest (p<0.05) in snails fed diet 1 (93.57±8.81g) and least in snails fed diet 4 (42.35±3.64g). Snails fed diets 4 and 5 gained more weight 16.73±4.32g and 15.67±2.35g respectively (p<0.05) than those fed diets 2 (1.00±9.17g) and 3 (1.63±8.79g). Snails fed diets 3, 4 and 5 produced more meat (p<0.05) than those fed diet 1. The result suggests that protein supplement from soybean meal and a combination of groundnut cake, fish meal and soybean meal elicited higher growth performance and carcass yield in Archachatina marginata than pawpaw leaves alone. Diets 4 and 5 were therefore recommended for adoption by snail farmers. Key words: Growth performance; Carcass characteristics, Archachatina marginata, Protein supplement

Biodiversity conservation problems and their implication on rangeland and ecotourism management in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria

The study investigates the prevalence of conservation and management problems affecting biodiversity and their implications on rangeland productivity and ecotourism activities in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Taraba State, Nigeria. Data were collected from villagers in support zone communities and staff of the park through questionnaires. The study revealed that farming on parkland, logging, Livestock grazing and poaching are the major problems affecting biodiversity in the park. More so, lack of manpower, insufficient funding and insecurity are the major management problems identified. Implication of these on rangeland productivity and ecotourism activities of the park was downward trend in range condition, low level of tourist inflow and revenue generated by the park as well as low benefit accruable to the local economy. To reduce the spate of illegal activities and its effects, it was suggested that, community participation, conservation awareness aimed at changing local people’s attitude and provision of incentives should be embarked upon by the management of the park and government.Keywords: Biodiversity, Ecotourism, Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Rangeland Problems, Nigeri