Wildlife Conservation as a Mitigating Factor to Food Security in a Distressed Economy

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining the role of wildlife conservation as a mitigator to food security in a distressed economy like Nigeria. The population for the study was 423, comprising 400 farmers (registered hunters) and 23 extension agents. No sampling was made since the population was manageable. A 54-item structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from the respondents. The data collected were analysed using mean and t-test statistic at the probability of 0.05 level of significance. Results showed among others, that controlled hunting, refuge establishment, predator control, artificial stocking, among others were the sustainable practices for wildlife conservation

Keywords: Wildlife, wildlife resource, conservation practices, food insecurity, distressed economy