Human – wildlife conflict in protected areas in Nigeria: dimensions and solutions

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict has constituted serious threats to the life of both humans and wildlife species because it has resulted into fatalities in both man and wildlife species. The paper reviewed human-wildlife conflicts in Nigeria as it portends potential loss of human life, loss of properties, farmlands, livestock and wildlife. The paper noted that there is a steady rise in human-wildlife conflicts especially in communities adjoining protected areas in Nigeria due to shrinking wildlife habitats, human population explosion and increasing poverty. Loss of farmlands fertility has resulted in poor crop yield by farmers from communities bordering protected areas. This has also contributed to the encroachment of fertile lands in protected areas. The paper observed that human-wildlife conflicts are caused by wildlife species both from protected areas and non-protected areas. However, conflicts caused by wild animals from protected areas are often more reported than those from non-protected areas. We suggested strongly that human vigilance, compensations, awareness and education, sensory deterrents, alternative crops, fencing, collaring and local team support as panacea for reduction in human-wildlife conflicts particularly among communities in close proximity to protected areas in Nigeria.

Keywords: Conflicts, farmlands, protected areas, wildlife, wildlife habitat