Human-wildlife conflicts and rural livelihood in Okomu national park, Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict remains a major challenge in wildlife conservation. This study explored the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict and its impact on the subsistence of rural communities’ adjoining Okomu National Park (ONP), Edo State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire (for villagers and law enforcement staff of Okomu National Park) and focus group discussion were employed to establish the occurrence and impact of human-wildlife conflict in ONP from January to April 2019. A total of 5 villages were purposively sampled of which 160 villagers, 70 rangers and 3 focused groups (comprising 7 individuals per group) were surveyed. The results revealed that Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), Buffalo (Syneruscafer), Elephant (Loxodontacylotis), Duikers (Philatombamaxwelli), and Porcupine (Histrixcristata)causes significant problem (χ2 =102.28, P= 0.000; χ2=10.592, P=0.000; χ2=15.454, P= 0.001; χ2= 10.213, P= 0.001; χ2=27.815, P= 0.007 respectively). Also, the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict was higher in villages within 2km radius to park boundary. The livelihood of villagers was negatively affected as they lose their crops to wild animals with no intervention from the park authorities. Management of conservation areas should ensure clear boundary demarcation to reduce the rate of encroachment into the park. Besides, management strategies that aid in the preservation of ecological integrity of the site and human well-being should be taken into account. Improved conservation education and compensation for the loss incurred to crop-raiding should be designed and implemented.