ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF WILDLIFE TO BUSHMEAT MARKETS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

This paper examined the economic contribution of wild animals to bushmeat trade in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Five prominent bush meat markets in Ibadan and its suburb were used for the study. The selection was based on the high intensity of bush meat marketing operations identified with the markets. All sellers in each market visited were interviewed which sum up to forty four respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Budgetary analysis was done to calculate costs and return of the bushmeat sellers. Income on mammals had the highest (₦5,755,600) per annum followed by the income on birds (₦858,000) per annum and reptiles (₦182,000). In the same pattern, percentage contribution indicates that mammals contributed 84% of the total income, while wild birds contributed 12% of the total income and reptile 3%. The net profit realized from the sales of mammals was ₦4,979,000 and ₦180,900 for wild birds. Cost and return analysis showed that sale of bushmeat is a profitable venture. In addition, mammals contributed more to the economy of the market than other two classes of animal found in the bushmeat market.