Management ethics and strategies towards sustainable tourism development in Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria

Abstract

People increasingly embark on tourism because of the huge economic benefits, which it accrues on daily basis without considering the impact on the tourism sites, which are always ecologically fragile. The study examined the management ethics and strategies adopted and maintained to harmonize income generation, conservation, ecological impact, visitor number, quality of visitor's experience and chances of citing games at the Jos Wildlife Park (JWLP) which have enabled it to remain open since the year 1977 till date. Data for the study were obtained through observations, in-depth interviews and review of records. Results show that species are subjected to intensive, semi intensive and extensive systems of management. Jos Wildlife Park is rich in various endangered, rare, vulnerable and abundant species of wildlife. Irrespective of season, games are viewed at ease in the park from 10.00am to 6.00pm everyday. Some animal species are managed under more than one system. The park is congested and polluted during festivities. Many animal species such as the Lion (Panthera leo), Pigmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus), Leopard (Panthera pardus), etc. have bred in the park. The park was gazzetted in 1972 for the purposes of conservation, education and tourism. Thus suggestions have been made towards ensuring that the conservation objectives are not compromised in the face of increasing revenue generation. Keywords: Sustainable tourism, management strategies, management ethics, Jos Wildlife Park Journal of Environmental Extension Vol. 6 2007: pp. 100-106