Browsing by Author "Yager, G.O."

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Assessment of tourists satisfaction and perception in Markurdi Zoological garden, Benue state, Nigeria
(2015) Alarape, A.A.; Yager, G.O.; Salman, K.K.
The assessment of tourists’ satisfaction and perception in Makurdi Zoological garden, Nigeria was elucidated using two sets of structured questionnaires; in-depth interview and desk review. This paper explores the underlying reasons accounting for tourists’ tendency to repeat their visit and preferences in the garden, the category of people who patronized the zoo most and sourcing visitors’ views on what can be done to make the garden more viable. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages and line graph) and the Pearson chisquare test of independent were used in data analysis. Results analyzed revealed that student groups (70%) in primary, secondary and tertiary cycle patronized the garden most. The purpose of visitation among tourists was for education (35%) and viewing of animals (33%). The most preferred wildlife species visitors came to view were lion, elephants, chimpanzee, monkeys, crocodile, and birds respectively. Tourists express dissatisfaction over diversity/welfare of fauna species in the zoo, route network, security/ protection against hazards and the abandoned areas like the picnic, museum and restaurants. They also perceived that good management, proper advertisement, good landscape (horticulture), restocking and rehabilitation of depilated or abandoned facilities will promote patronage, create satisfaction and equally step up the revenue of the garden. Age and gender has no significant effect on visitation to the zoo (α0.05) while marital status and occupation was observed to have (α0.05). The recommendation is made that government should increase its financial commitment, improve on its management strategies and renovate dilapidated and abandoned structures to make the garden attractive and viable.
Human–Bat Relationships in Southwestern Nigerian Communities
(2022) Yager, G.O.; Wahab,M.K.A.; Alarape, A.A.; Attah, L.O.
Knowledge on the behavioural pattern of fauna species help to maintain good relationship with captive animals. Chimpanzee behavioural pattern differs in many ways with human interactions. The research focused on the effects of tourist participation on Chimpanzee behavior in a captive environment. Fifty copies of Semi-structured questionnaire were administered to the tourist. Chimpanzee activities and interactions with tourists was carried out using standard focal sampling method at 5 minutes interval for 2 days per week for two months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mantel-Haenszel χ2 and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) M2 test. The study reveals that majority of the respondents were males (60%) and were first timers who came for the purpose of relaxation and research. The probability of return visit by the respondents was low, due to poor rating of the Zoo. Most of chimpanzee time was spent resting, sitting and standing (29.5%, 23.2% and 17.0%), respectively. The locomotive and display behavioural pattern were statistically significant (p-value = 0.042 and 0.042) at contact and non-contact level. However, there was no statistically difference with the relieve behavioural pattern exhibited by the Chimpanzee, which indicates that, the relieved behaviour observed was independent of non-contact and contact between the Chimpanzee.
Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Vegetation Cover and Mammalian Herbivores in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Cross River State, Nigeria
(2022) Yager, G.O.; Alarape, A.A.; Onaji, O.J.; Acha, S.
Despite the popular perception of protected areas, forest resources are still subject to many forms of anthropogenic activities such as logging, hunting and burning. This necessitates the study on the impact of anthropogenic activities on vegetation cover and mammalian herbivores in Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary. Four communities around the study area namely; Ebok, kakukob, Esekwe and Olum were selected based on proximity to the sanctuary. Data on socio-economic characteristic and anthropogenic activities of the communities were determined using questionnaire. A total of sixty (60) copies of questionnaire, 15 each were distributed to the four communities. Dynamics in vegetation cover for 1985, 2000 and 2021 was determined using landsat imagery. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The result revealed that, males (65.0%) were the dominant respondents. The study respondents were in the age bracket between 41-50 years (51.6%) and majority (51.7%) can at least read and write. The result also indicates a drastic decrease in the forest cover as from 1985-2021, owning to increase in activities such as settlement, logging and farming within the sanctuary. Major threats to the vegetation cover and mammalian herbivores survival were farming, logging and illegal hunting. Conservation of the remaining forest resources should be given top priority.
Preliminary Assessment of Fauna Species Diversity in Ipinu Igede Community Range Forest in Oju Local Government of Benue State, Nigeria
(2018) Yager, G.O.; Alarape, A.A.; Onuwa, O.A.
Background and Objectives: Appraisal of fauna species which form an integral part of range ecology, in rangeland based protected areas is necessary before any meaningful conservation work can commence. This study was aimed at assessing the composition of fauna species in the community forest. Methodology: Animal species were enumerated through direct on-site using four transects line of 2.0 km by 10 m broad distributed randomly, field observation and indirect indices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (table, figures and plates). Results: Fifty-six species of wild animals from 40 families were observed in the study area. There were 21 species of mammals from 15 families, 6 species of reptiles from 6 families and 29 species of birds from 19 families. A total of 1,419 sightings were recorded. The most abundant animal species found in the area were Epixerus ebii, Eidolon helvum, Chlorocebus tantalus, Papio anubis, Philothemus irregularis, Musophaga violacea, Numidia meleagris and Francolinus bicalcaratus. The status of most mammals was Low risk-conservation dependent as applicable to reptiles. All the birds are known to breed in the reserve. Transect C had the highest diversity index (0.0130) and transect A had the lowest animal diversity index (0.0061) but with the highest species count of thirty six (36) and individual animal species sighted (454). Conclusions: The community forest support unique fauna species making it significant in terms of conservation and scientific interest and has to be protected through conservation awareness and community participation to conserve the current state and enhanced its range productivity.