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Wild vertebrate pests activities on agricultural crops at Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria
Abstract
A survey was conducted among 57 farmers at three different ranges in Gashaka Gumti National Park to identify wild vertebrate pests that raided and destroyed agricultural crops. The results showed that 16 wild fauna
species were identified as crop pests. Six of them, Ceropithecus aethiops, Papio anubis, Heliosciurus gambianus, Thryonomys swinderianus, Tragelaphus scriptus, and Numida meleagris raided crops ubiquitously in the park. The number of wild vertebrate pest species and crops cultivated were not significantly different at Mayo-Selbe versus Gashaka; and Gashaka versus Filinga ranges of the park (P > 0.05). Out of 14 agricultural crops, Zea mays > Sorghum spp > Manihot esculenta > Oryza sativa > Dioscorea spp were the most widely cultivated and also most
raided crops in the park. A test of association between the number of wildlife species sighted destroying crops in the three surveyed range areas of the park, and the number of crops raided was not significant ( ÷2 = 0.95, df = 2, P = 0.62). In order to reduce losses associated with wild fauna raids on crops, and prevent the killing of wildlife to curb raids, local farmers should be educated on the need to use non lethal means of preventing crop raids such as effigies, guard animals, and reflective objects, and be encouraged to cultivate crops further away from wildlife refuge at the Gashaka Gumti National Park.
species were identified as crop pests. Six of them, Ceropithecus aethiops, Papio anubis, Heliosciurus gambianus, Thryonomys swinderianus, Tragelaphus scriptus, and Numida meleagris raided crops ubiquitously in the park. The number of wild vertebrate pest species and crops cultivated were not significantly different at Mayo-Selbe versus Gashaka; and Gashaka versus Filinga ranges of the park (P > 0.05). Out of 14 agricultural crops, Zea mays > Sorghum spp > Manihot esculenta > Oryza sativa > Dioscorea spp were the most widely cultivated and also most
raided crops in the park. A test of association between the number of wildlife species sighted destroying crops in the three surveyed range areas of the park, and the number of crops raided was not significant ( ÷2 = 0.95, df = 2, P = 0.62). In order to reduce losses associated with wild fauna raids on crops, and prevent the killing of wildlife to curb raids, local farmers should be educated on the need to use non lethal means of preventing crop raids such as effigies, guard animals, and reflective objects, and be encouraged to cultivate crops further away from wildlife refuge at the Gashaka Gumti National Park.
