Disappearance of African elephant from Kainji lake national park, Nigeria: Causes, status and prospects for reintegration

Abstract

This paper examines the causes of disappearance/loss and current status of the African elephant in KLNP against the backdrop of international/regional agreements, conventions, national/sub-national institutions (including forestry/wildlife laws); and presents propositions. Data were collected from official reports, Nigeria Parks Magazine and published literature. Results revealed overwhelming anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. built infrastructure, namely Air Force terminal, dam), weak legislation, obsolete equipment and poor enforcement, illegal logging, poaching, cattle herding/banditry and perverse transnational diplomacy, as probable reasons for the loss/exodus of African elephant from the park. There was no substantial empirical evidence to tie elephant loss/disappearance to human-wildlife conflicts or ivory trade. However, the literature is rife with information that while Beninoire communities on the corridor are incentivized to protect wildlife, particularly the African elephant, their Nigerian counterparts with vast indigenous knowledge of behavioural/habituation and migratory pattern, are invariably alienated. The Nigerian government should define responsibilities and harmonize roles for departments and agencies; expedite/orchestrate national forest/wildlife laws; and foster multilateral cooperation towards rehabilitation/protection of wildlife species that utilize trans-national migratory corridors.

Keywords: Anthropogenic disturbance, iconic species, migratory corridor, poor enforcement, trans-national