Assessment of crop raiding activities of wild animal species in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the assessment of crop raiding activities in some communities around Zugurma sector of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. The study identify the species of wild animals that raid farms, farm produce that were affected in the area, seasons such activities occurred and level of destruction to farm products in the study area. Two hundred questionnaires were administered purposely to some farmers in the support zones communities with close proximity with to park boundaries and only one hundred and seventy four questionnaires were retrieved. The communities sampled were Felegi, Shafinni, Babugi, Fanga, and Ibbi. Direct observation and personal interview using an interpreter was employed to source for information. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings from this study revealed that Primates (Erythrocebus patas and Chlorocebus aethiops tantalus) had the highest percentage of raid in farm with (44.7%) while Ground Squirrel (Xerus erythopus), Western Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), Grimm’s Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) and Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) were the least raiders with (3.3%) respectively. This study also revealed that maize (zea mays) is the mostly raided crop with (19.1%) while cassava (Manihot esculentus) was the least with (2.5%). It was observed that crop raiding activities occur all year round with (43.7%) while less activity occur during the dry season with (27.6%) due to the fact that most crops had been harvested. The level of destruction caused by wild animals is very high with (94.3%) respondents attesting to this fact. The study shows that raiding activities affect farmlands that are very close to park boundaries more therefore, it is advisable for farmers to site their farmland far from park boundaries or cultivate crops that may not be destroyed by wild animals when they farm close to park boundaries.

Keywords: Assessment, Crop Raiding, Primates, Protected Areas, Respondents