ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE MONITORING EFFORTS OF KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA (2010 - 2019)

Abstract

Protected areas are the cornerstones of wildlife conservation efforts; hence it’s monitoring and protection is fundamental to halting biodiversity declines. This work then assess the effectiveness of wildlife monitoring efforts such as anti-poaching patrol in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria to evaluate the level of success of protective operations for the improvement of anti-poaching programmes for sustainable wildlife management. Secondary data were sourced from the official records of anti-poaching activities including arrests and prosecutions were obtained from the management information unit of the park. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis using table, figure and graph. The results show that arrest and prosecution made for grazing of livestock and poaching were the major offences committed in the ten (10) years appraised. Highest offenders (206) were arrest and prosecuted for grazing of livestock in 2018. The year 2016 had the lowest arrested offenders in Kainji Lake National Park in the last decade (123 offenders) while 2018 had the highest with 287 offenders. The total number of arrest and prosecution made within the ten year period was 1,849. The highest revenue generated in Park in a year was ₦9,010,108.22 in 2018 while the lowest revenue generated in the last ten years was ₦6,466,223.60 in 2016. The total revenue generated in the study area from 2010 to 2019 was ₦74, 355,351.24. There appears to be relationship between arrests of offenders and revenue generation across the years (direct proportion). Evaluation of records of arrests and prosecution between 2010 and 2019 show that high number of offenders arrested and prosecuted for grazing of livestock and poaching for the period evaluated could heighten conflict in the study area. Therefore, local participation of communities surrounding the park is also important to the effectiveness of protective practices.