The Roles of Socioeconomic, Social Capital, Households and Community Benefits on Participation in Conservation-Related Activities: A Case Study of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria Participation in Conservation-Related Activities

Abstract

Stakeholders’ participation in wildlife protection is viewed as one of the antidotes to successful nature conservation. The study assessed the influence of socioeconomic, social capital, households and communities’ benefits on participation in conservation related activities in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria.  A multistage and random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of communities and households. The sample size was 302 household heads or their representatives drawn at random from 29 selected support zone communities of the Park. Data were obtained with the use of questionnaire. Data obtained were presented and analysed using descriptive statistics while hypotheses were tested using Chi-square, Pearson Correlation, and Logistic regression analyses. Results revealed that length of residency (p < 0.01) had the greatest impact on households' conservation engagement among the socioeconomic variables. Involvement in a work project with neighbours and others in the community (p < 0.01) had the greatest impact on participation. Provision of animal husbandry training and boreholes were the benefits that impacted most on household and community participation in conservation (p < 0.01), respectively. Government and conservation agencies should utilise community characteristics, social capital, and provision of more households and community benefits to enhance participation in conservation activities in the park.