Survey of free-range animals within Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoo Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the abundance of free-range natural inhabitants of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoo Park. A  baseline data of free ranging inhabitants of the Park is essential to monitor trends and institute conservation plans through unsustainable natural resources exploitation and habitat destruction. Four transects were selected across the study area. Each transect was traversed for the period of four months and observations were carried out twice a day. The Four existing tracks explored during the study were the  aviary, reptile, carnivore and primate tracks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. The findings from this study revealed that 8 species of natural inhabitants were identified which were Chlorocebus pygerythrus,Philantomba maxwellii, Herpestidae spp, Tragelaphus scriptus, Naja naja, Marmotini spp, Centropus senegalensis and Milvus migrans. The result further showed that a total of 115 animals were encountered in the primate transect, 77 animals in carnivores transect, 46 animals in aviary transect and 34 animals in ungulates transect by representative of 43.3%, 28.3%, 15.8% and 12.5% respectively. Human activities and level of disturbance was observed to have affected the abundance and distribution of animals at FUNAAB Zoo Park. Continuous field inventory is recommended to ascertain the dynamics of animals observed as free- range inhabitants in this study.