Influence of perceived information needs on the social psychological wellbeing of prison inmates in south west Nigeria

This study assessed the influence of perceived information need on the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. This study was a survey involving the design and administration of questionnaires to 720 prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. Data analysis was done by means of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that prison inmates in the zone appeared to have a clear understanding of their information needs but this could not translate into an improved socio-psychological wellbeing. The study concluded that government need to reduce pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding by minimising pre-trial waits, and setting a maximum allowable wait time, implement a population capacity for all prisons based on design capacity; upgrade prison infrastructure, rehabilitate and build facilities to improve the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates

Religion as an effective tool in forestry practices, wildlife management and environmental sustainability in Kogi State, Nigeria

This paper examined religion as an effective tool in forestry practices, wildlife management and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The roles of forestry and wildlife management in environmental sustainability are very imperative. This study was carried out in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from Seven (7) randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) within Kogi State. Structured questionnaire, direct field observation, and personal interview were used to collect information from indigenous people within the Study Area. Structured questionnaire was administered on Thirty (30) randomly selected respondents from each of the LGAs making a total number of Two hundred and Ten (210) respondents. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis such as table and graph; and parametric statistics, respectively. The results showed that there were Thirty-Nine (39) sacred forests, Twenty-Five (25) burial ground forests, and Seven (7) plantation forests in the Study Area. The results also showed that One-Hundred and Sixty-three (163) out of Two-Hundred and Ten (210) respondents are of the view that religion can be used to prevent deforestation, wildlife destruction, and environmental degradation. The inferential analysis using student’s t-test and ANOVA shows significant differences which implies that most of the respondents accept religion as an effective tool to reduce forest and wildlife destruction, and also that the sacred forests are the most preserved forests in the Study Area. Therefore, involvement of all stakeholders, religious leaders and their followers in sustainable forest/wildlife management and environment sustainability will go a long way to reduce deforestation, desertification, and extinction of some trees/shrubs/wild plants, wild animals, and environmental degradation.Keywords: Environment, Forestry, Religion, Sustainability, and Wildlif

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

Environmental Attitudes of Visitors to Nature Based Tourism Destinations; Obafemi Awolowo University Biological Garden in Perspective

Abstract The paradigm of sustainable tourism is partly based on the idea that visitor attitudes, choices and behaviour about the environment critically influence sustainability. Biological gardens are traditional sites for nature-based tourism attracting large volume of visitors. The environmental attitudes of these visitors are however rarely studied. This study therefore examined the environmental attitudes of visitors to a nature based tourism destination in Nigeria, specifically Obafemi Awolowo Biological Garden. The New Environmental Paradigm scale consisting of 12 factors was employed. A total of 383 copies of structured questionnaire were administered to visitors and analysed. Visitors showed high percentage agreement with the factors; ‘humans have the right to modify the natural environment to suit their needs’, and ‘mankind was created to rule over the rest of nature’. They displayed the highest percentage disagreement with the factors; ‘humans need not adapt to the natural environment because they can remake it to suit their needs’, and ‘we are approaching the limit of the number of people the earth can support’. Visitors to the garden displayed anthropocentric beliefs and human dominance over the rest of nature. Keywords: Biological Garden, Environmental Attitude, Nature- based Touris

Short note on observation of breeding activities of the Lander horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus landeri - Martin, 1837) within an urban area in southwest, Nigeria

This study made observations on breeding activities of the Lander Horseshoe bat in southwest, Nigeria. Bats were captured using mist nets placed in the ground storey at the University of Ibadan, southwest, Nigeria. Forty-two per cent of total R. landeri (n=14) captured in March, 2017 and between February-August, 2019 were breeding either pregnant or with pups. Though distribution of the species is believed to range nationwide, the last report on breeding activity was about forty-six years ago and with a data deficient status; this observation is the first record for the breeding activities of R. landeri on the southwest range of the species within Nigeria and therefore provide more information about the species in the region

Welfare of animals in captivity: expose on diversity, enclosure size and enrichment, food and feeding regime in some zoos in South-West Nigeria

This study assessed the diversity of animals with respect to the number and sex, IUCN status, husbandry practices vis a vis enclosure size and enrichment, food and feeding regime in three zoos located in southwest Nigeria, in order to offer an insight into the welfare of animals in captivity in Nigerian Zoos, as well as the practice of captive breeding and/or conservation roles of modern zoos. Two of the five freedoms were focused on namely freedom from hunger and thirst and freedom to express most normal behaviour. It was revealed that a total of thirty-six species of animals (131 individuals) belonging to 25 families, 15 orders, and 3 classes (Aves, Reptiles and Mammals), were presented and displayed in the zoos. These animals largely belong to least concern conservation status of IUCN. Thirty species were without mates and some were housed with members of same sex. Animals’ enclosure sizes are designed to accommodate the needs of each species of animal; and enclosure enrichments were largely provided. The sizes of enclosures were however extremely smaller than the standard minimum enclosure requirements of animals in captivity. Feeding and feeding regime was done and appropriated with considerations to what obtains in their wild habitat and the digestive system of the animals. It was concluded that freedom from hunger and thirst was ensured in all the zoos given adequate food and feeding regime but hampered in terms of freedom to express most normal behaviour