Pangolin habitat characterization and preference in old Oyo National Park, southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed Pangolin habitat characteristic features in Old Oyo National Park (OONP) Nigeria between August, 2016 and February 2017.Three ranges were selected for the study. Data were collected using field observations (Random search and quadrat methods) where woody species and other characteristic features of pangolin habitat were recorded. Data were described using frequency and charts and one-way ANOVA. Diversity indices of tree species were calculated using PAST Software (Version 16). A total of two hundred and forty-four individual tree species belonging to nineteen families were recorded in three ranges. The woody tree species diversity indices varied slightly in the three ranges. DBH class 61-90cm had the highest frequency of 51 (20.9%) while DBH class>180cm recorded the lowest frequency of (23) (9.43%). Height class 11-15m had the highest frequency of 92 () followed by height class 6-10m with a frequency of 73 (29.92%) while height class >20m had the least frequency of 19 (7.79%). Locations where pangolins were sighted are similar in plant species composition and structural arrangement in the three ranges. The animal was found close to sources of water. The result of this study is therefore important to the conservation of the population of pangolin species in OONP.

Keywords: Pangolin, habitat features, conservation, OONP