Browsing by Author "Alarape, A. A."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Local depletion of two larger Duikers in the Oban Hills Region, Nigeria
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Adeyemi, A. A.; Waltert, M.
Across West and Central Africa, duikers are important for trade and consumption; their populations are expected to become depleted. Reliable data on their status are scanty in Nigeria. We assessed duiker populations in the Oban Sector of Cross River National Park through diurnal and nocturnal surveys along 32 transects of 2 km each. After 508-km survey effort, only Ogilby’s duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi) and blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) were recorded. Using habitat as a covariate in modeling detection probability in DISTANCE 6.0, we estimated densities for the blue duiker ranging from 15.5 (95% CI: 7.8–30.9) in the core, 5.8 (CI: 2.6–12.9) in the buffer and 0.9 (CI: 0.09–10.1) km² in farm fallow to no duikers in the plantation. For Ogilby’s duiker, densities ranged from 1.6 (95% CI: 0.7–3.7) km² in the core, 2.0 (CI: 0.8–5.1) in buffer to no duikers in farm fallow and plantation. The apparent absence of yellow-backed and Bay duikers may indicate local depletion. We call on all stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of rescuing this biological hotspot in Nigeria from further degradation and species loss through improved funding for well-equipped field staff and institutionalized community wildlife management
Reconnaissance Survey of The Wildlife Sanctuary of Stubb’s Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
(Government of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Ministry of Environment, 2004) Popoola, L.; Jimoh, S.O.; Alarape, A. A.
This study was conducted at the instance of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Akwa Ibom State in realization of the need to assess the potentials of wildlife in the Stubbs-creek forest reserve of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The terms of reference included, but not limited to provision of information on status of fauna and flora in the forest reserve, bearing in mind the level of human interference that had occurred in the last one decade. Using a combination of standard methods wildlife, vegetation and questionnaire surveys were conducted in and around the forest reserve to obtain information on the status of the major plant and animal lives and the various sources of threat to their sustainable management. Results obtained from the study indicate large- scale disturbance of the biophysical environment (flora and fauna) arising from such human activities as farming, illegal logging, oil prospecting and exploration. These have affected the hitherto rich fauna and flora of the reserve. The study still identified the existence of over 80 important plant species, which include Alcornea cor difolia; Raphia spp; Anthocleista nobilis;; Rhizophora racemosa; Gmelina arborea; Costus afer; Chromolina odorata; Rauvolvia vomitoria; Calamus spp; Musanga cercopioides; Albizia spp; Selaginalea spp. Species with moderate frequency of occurrence include Carpolobia lutea; Napoleona vogelii; Allablackia floribunda. They were distributed within the natural lowland rainforest, oil palm and raphia bushes and the mangrove. Over 90 animal species including rodents, reptiles, birds and monkeys were encountered. They include Thryonomys swinderianus, Potamochoerus porcus, Trangelaphus scripus; Python sebae, Crocodilus spp, Neophron monachus, Milvus migrans, Streptopelia senegalensis, Apus affinis,, Egretta alba, Ardeola ibis, Scopus umbretta, Neophron monachus The potential of the wildlife sanctuary for ecotourism is still quite high particularly with the existence of oil prospecting and exploration concerns that attract heavy human traffic into the area. Also there exist standard hotels within 30km radius of the forest reserve, which will encourage visitors to combine business with pleasure. There is however the urgent need to: secure the boundaries of the sanctuary, carry out a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment with a view to having comprehensive information that will form the basis for re-investment by the State government and also set the template for the development of proposals for donor assistance from international donor/investment agencies, win the confidence of the settlers in the adjoining communities, seek local and external partnerships for the management of the sanctuary and; Finally, the institutional and legal frameworks of the reserve should be clearly spelt out to enhance sustainability. The Sanctuary has the potential to boost the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP) of the State Government and should therefore be rehabilitated
The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria
(2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Obioha, E. E.; Adeyemi, A. A.
Efforts to integrate rural people into biodiversity conservation through community-based conservation programs is an old tradition. These efforts were largely based on economic incentives, with little or no attention given to the role of culture and traditions in building support for conservation. Although these strategies are useful in promoting conservation and local empowerment, they are still fragile. Scholars suggest that incorporation of traditional values which reflect locally important cultural practices of the people into the management of conservation areas in Africa will help in their successful conservation. There is a strong need to assess cultural practices; traditional laws and taboos of the people in protected areas, and how they have assisted conservation in the past. To understand how such practices could be strengthened and incorporated into natural resources management and conservation strategies, there is a need to have a general overview of existing practices. The study analyzes the ways in which cultural practices and value systems of the people of Oban Sector of Cross River National Park Nigeria, have aided conservation in the past and how such practices can be encouraged, strengthened and replicated for sustainable natural resources management in the study area and possibly proposed for adoption elsewhere. Ten cultural institutions and seven laws and taboos which regulate the use of resources were recorded in the area. These laws and taboos were respected by all indigenes. Eleven animal species were found to be forbidden by the people. Some of the tabooed animals were for spiritual reasons while some were for medicinal purposes. Every community had sacred forests, called Mgbe forest (Eten Mgbe) The social organizations in the area ensured that these taboos are obeyed. Presence of other tribes, new religions/westernization, use of modern hunting equipments and poverty pose a threat to the effectiveness of these taboos as a conservation tool. Adaptation of some aspects of these taboos may be valuable for wildlife conservation, particularly in protected areas