Oyo National Park Research Articles

Seasonal changes in the abundance and distribution of large terrestrial mammals in old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Seasonal distribution of large terrestrial mammals in African protected areas is shaped by factors such as food and water availability, breeding cycles, and predation risks. This study utilised encounter rates derived from diurnal distance sampling to examine seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of these mammals within Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Notably, the abundance and distribution in the Marguba range, characterised by mixed open savanna woodland, differed significantly between the dry and wet seasons, as well as among various sub-habitats and ranges during the dry season. The impact of key factors—(1) resource availability (food and water) and/or (2) poaching threat—remains critical and potentially influential in driving these seasonal differences. Further investigation to ascertain the effect of poaching and determine the impact of other controlling factors is crucial. Understanding the effects of these factors is essential for the effective and sustainable management and conservation of large terrestrial mammals in the study area.

Population size and conservation status of large terrestrial mammals in a West African protected area

AbstractTerrestrial large mammals are threatened in West and Central Africa due to trade and consumption. The species population size was estimated using diurnal distance sampling in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Mean species abundance and density ranged from 631 ± 281 to 3320 ± 1163 individuals and 2.0661 ± 1.356 to 6.7525 ± 3.0376 individuals km−2 between sub‐habitat types, and from 258 ± 125 to 2671 ± 867 individuals and 0.9526 ± 0.6801 to 5.1377 ± 1.8988 individual km−2 between the ranges. Based on IUCN guidelines for local assessment, we classified 1 species as Vulnerable, 10 Near Threatened and 1 Least Concern. Long‐term population monitoring and education programmes are crucial.

ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE EXTENSION MEASURES AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK

The research work assessed wildlife extension measures and its effectiveness in Old Oyo National Park. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents from the total population. The demographic factors of the respondents revealed that male recorded the highest with 71.0% with age group 31-40 years recorded the highest (41.0%). The findings also showed that majority of the respondents are married (54.0%). The level of education indicated that respondents with tertiary education recorded the highest (61.0%). Also majority of the respondents are Muslims (52.0%) while Christianity recorded 44.0%. The various wildlife extension services in the study area showed that campaign against hunting and bush burning recorded the highest with 38.0% and 26.0% respectively, followed by campaign against deforestation with 21.0% while training on agro-forestry is the least with 2.0%. The effectiveness of the identified extension practices on wildlife conservation showed that the identified extension are slightly effective recorded the highest with 38.0%, followed by moderately effective with 33.0% while ineffective recorded the least with 4.0%. The methods been used to disseminate the extension services in the study area, in which focus group discussion recorded the highest with 39.0%, followed by radio and television with 22.0% while Newspaper/journal/magazine recorded the least with 6.0%. The challenges facing extension services delivery in the study area revealed that inadequate funding of some extension activities are the major challenges with 31.0%, followed by inadequate number of extension personnel with 21.0% while inadequate commitment personnel is the least with 5.0%.

Seed Pre-Treatment and Early Growth Performance of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redhead under Nitrogen Amendment in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Survival of wildlife in protected areas is dependent on innate attributes and response of vegetation to climate change. Piliostigma thonningii holds promise for wildlife conservation in Old Oyo National Park, but its population is threatened by physical dormancy. There is dearth of information on long-term benefits of its seed pretreatment and early growth response to nitrogen fertilizer. This study assessed effects of acid scarification on germination and early growth of P. thonningii under different nitrogen application rates. Seeds harvested from three purposively selected seasonal wetlands in Old Oyo National Park (OONP) were treated with 1N H2SO4 at durations ranging from 0 – 120 minutes in three replicates. Germinated seeds were enumerated over a 14-day period. Top soils from the wetlands were randomly sampled using soil auger in three replicates for physical and chemical analyses, and for early growth study with Urea fertilizer at rates 0, 50 and 100 kg/ha in experimental pots in completely randomized design. Growth and dry matter were assessed using ANOVA at P.05. Germination commenced in control treatments at 14 days after plating (DAP) and was low (13.3%). Germination progressively increased in acid treatment. At 5 DAP for soaking for 30 minutes gave 46.67%; while it was 96.67% at 40 minutes at 14 DAP. Higher soaking times gave 100% germination by 14 DAP, but with low growth vigor. The response of P. thonningii to Urea application was significantly higher in number of leaves at 12 weeks than in other rates. Other growth parameters are not significantly different at all rates. The biomass yield of P. thonningii was 1.98 g ±0.21and 2.6 g ±0.36 root and shoot dry weights at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS); and 7.3 g ±0.04 root and 6.4 g ±0.95 shoot dry weights at 12 WAS. Piliostigma thonningii can restore and improve wildlife abundance to mitigate climate change effects in the Park.

ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE DISTRIBUTION IN RELATION TO WATERHOLES IN MARGUBA RANGE OF OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

This study assessed wildlife distribution in relation to waterholes in Marguba range of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. It involved Observations, Identification and Counting of different wildlife species utilizing each of the waterholes in the Park. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Four (4) waterholes are recorded in the Park (Oopo River, Ogun River, Ayinta River and Ibuya River). The frequency distribution of herbivores species observed around the waterholes revealed that Ogun River recorded no herbivores. Also Kob recorded the highest number of observation with 7 individuals, follows by Roan antelope with 4 individuals while Red flanked Duiker, Waterbuck and Western hartebeest recorded 1 individual each. The frequency distribution of non-human primates species observed around the waterholes, Oopo and Ayinta River recorded no observation. Ibuya recorded the highest number with 4 individuals while Ogun recorded 2 individuals. The frequency distribution of amphibians/reptiles’ species observed around the waterholes, Ibuya recorded the highest number with 11 individuals, followed by Oopo River with 3 observations while Ogun and Ayinta recorded 1 individual each. Also Frog (Rana sp) recorded the highest with 7 individuals. The animal indices around the waterholes showed that herbivores recorded the highest with 48.35, followed by Amphibian/Reptile with 31.0% while Non-human primates is the least with 20.7%. The study recommends that provision of functional artificial waterholes in the park should be established.

Biodiversity conservation and rural development: inseparable options for Protected Area management. a case study of four Nigerian national parks

The establishment and management of Protected Areas have become the cornerstones of biodiversity conservation strategies. However, efforts aimed to manage these areas have paid little or no attention to livelihoods and needs of the surrounding communities. Therefore, this study assesses the socio-economic predictors of the local people's needs and also establishes the link between biodiversity conservation and rural development. A survey of villages around four Nigerian national parks has been carried out to determine available infrastructural facilities, the facilities mostly desired by villagers and the socio-economic predictors of the local people's needs and their dependence on the national park resources. The selection of the study areas was performed through multi-stage random sampling, with a focus on villages within a 10-km radius of each national park boundaries. Primary data were collected from 1500 respondents in 106 local communities around four national parks, i.e. 22 around the Cross River National Park (CRNP), 22 around the Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), 27 around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), and 35 around the Old Oyo National Park (OONP). The collected data were analysed and presented descriptively, while logistic regression was used to identify the socio-demographic predictors of needs by local people. Results of the demographic characteristics show that there were more male respondents interviewed (73.2%) than female respondents (26.8%) in all four national parks. In all the four studied national parks, farming has a predominant occupation: CRNP (99.3%), GGNP (93.9%), KLNP (90.5%), and OONP (85.2%). The major number of respondents is married: CRNP (77.0%), GGNP (70.0%), KLNP (84.4%), and OONP (79.6%), and is within the age group of 15–25 years: CRNP (43.0%), GGNP (30.0%), KLNP (36.2%) and OONP (25.2%). All of the respondents interviewed in CRNP were Christians (100%), while the majority of respondents in GGNP (87.3%), KLNP (99.2%), and OONP (53.1%) were Muslims. In terms of educational qualifications, there was a high level of illiteracy among the people living around the studied national parks as most of the respondents in CRNP had primary (45.3%) and secondary education (32.7%). However, for the other three national parks, we demonstrated a higher percentage of non-formal education: GGNP (61.5%), KLNP (63.1%) and OONP (68.1%). The obtained results show that the study area is characterised by a lack of infrastructures, such as roads (96.4%), electricity (97.7%) and limited provision of service, such as medicine (91.1%), potable water (96.5%), and education services (86.6%). The majority of the interviewed respondents in communities around the national parks indicated the provision of health care centres (78.5%), boreholes/portable water (77.7%), roads (68.6%), the establishment of schools (59.7%) and employment (56.2%). Our results show that the communities' expectation was for basic infrastructures, such as the provision of potable water (77.5%), health care centres (78.5%), electricity (78.1%), and roads (68.9%). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the predictors of the respondents' infrastructural needs were gender (β = 0.068, p < 0.01), age (β = 0.032, p < 0.01), and education level (β = 0.047, p < 0.05). The study concludes that there is a need for the federal, state and local governments to provide the basic infrastructures in villages surrounding the studied national parks to reduce the pressure and over-dependence of the local people on the national park resources. The literacy campaign and conservation education should be taken to the grass-root because the majority of the local people are illiterates and live around biodiversity hotspots.

Heavy Metals Accumulation in Feaces of Wildlife around Ogun River in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Knowledge of bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in wildlife of our national parks is poor. This study evaluated wildlife dungs in Old Oyo National Park (OONP) for bioaccumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cupper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) using standard procedures. Composite dung samples of kob (K), cane rat (KR), crocodile (C), pattas monkey (PM), olive baboon (OB), civet cat (CC) and western hartebeest (WH) were collected along River Ogun. Concentrations were significantly different (α

Local perception on the impacts of biodiversity conservation on livelihood activities in Old Oyo national park, Nigeria

The study examined the socio-economic activities of rural communities in Old Oyo National Park and their perception towards conservation. Ten villages were randomly chosen from the five ranges based on their proximity to the park. A total of one hundred and fifty-two (152) structured questionnaire were administered to obtain information from the local community. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the livelihood practices and the impacts of the park on their livelihoods. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The major occupations of the respondents around the park were farming (25.7%), trading (22.4%), Artisan (19.1%), and Students (12.5%). The results showed that the majority of the respondents were male (69.1%) while 31.9% were female. Many of the respondents (39.5%) experience a loss of right/control over protected resources. The result further revealed that the respondents (28.9%) experienced the loss of traditional access to the park, with serious impact on the livelihood of the respondents. Chi-square analysis showed that there is an association between gender (χ2 = 1.857 p<0.05) and perceived access to natural resources. The result further showed a significant relationship between the respondents’ perceived access to the park-related resources and their marital status (χ2 = 10.184 p<0.001), indicating that marital status positively affected their perception of the park resources. It is, therefore, recommended that there should be training on alternative sources of livelihood and also sensitize the communities about the needs for conservation.

Assessing the driving forces of Guinea savanna transition using geospatial technology and machine learning in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Savannization and de-savannization are two land cover transition processes that are yet to be understood at a local scale in sub-Saharan Africa. We studied the patterns across different ecological, anthropogenic and climatic factors to infer the trends of savannization and de-savannization in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Geospatial technology and two machine learning methods were used to determine the pattern, dynamics, and importance of savannization and de-savannization with a set of thirteen eco-climatic variables. The savannized areas with total land cover masses of 934.27 km2 in 1986–2003 decreased to 901.01 km2 in 2003–2019, and vice versa for de-savannized areas. The thirteen eco-climatic variables contributed to savannization and de-savannization within the two transition intervals in varying degrees. Relevant stakeholders should employ mild burn severity to manage savannization at locations close to host communities, rivers, and roads within elevations above 450 m and low rainfall in the dry season below 6 mm.

A baseline camera trapping survey of wildlife utilizing termite mounds in Marguba Range division of Old Oyo National Park

A baseline camera trapping survey of wildlife utilizing termite mounds in Marguba Range division of Old Oyo National Park

Determinants of Knowledge and Use of Information Communication Technology at Eco-destinations in Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana in Nigeria

Information Communication Technology has become significant to the development and growth of modern tourism. This study aimed to examine the knowledge and use of information and communication at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at fifty percent of the total members of staff at the sites. Data indicated that majority of the staff at Old Oyo National Park (82.9%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (95%) and Lacampagne Tropicana (88.9%) were knowledgeable about the use of information and communication technology especially the use of internet and social media. The staff were also a little competent with the use of Information and Communication Technology at Old Oyo National Park (45.7%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (50%) and Lacampagne Tropicana staff (44.4%). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics of the staff has a significant relationship with their knowledge on the existence of Information Communication Technology at the sites. The management need to organize proper trainings for the staff on the use of Information and Communication Technology so as to improve satisfaction of tourists.

Perception on the Usage of Information Communication Technology for Ecotourism Development in Nigeria

This study aimed to assess the perception of tourists on the usage of information and communication technology at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at 384 tourists randomly; 20 tourists at Old Oyo National Park, 150 tourists at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and 214 tourists at Lacampagne Tropicana. Data was analyzed and presented descriptively using tables and inferentially using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that the tourists mostly made use of internet and social media at the sites. The tourists also perceived that the use of Information Communication Technology would be an innovative approach to solving some of the problems of sustainable tourism development and that use of Information Communication Technology has made work easier and faster. Furthermore, the study indicated significant differences in some socio-demographic characteristics as well as perception on the usage of ICT at the sites (P<0.05). Management of ecotourism sites should therefore create more awareness on the usage of other forms of information communication technology at their sites so as to further enhance tourists’ satisfaction.

IMPACT OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT IN THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES OF OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK

The study assesses the impacts of Human-Wildlife conflicts in the surrounding villages in Old Oyo National Park (OONP), Nigeria. Two ranges out of the five ranges were used. Four villages were selected based on the distribution of primates and wildlife populations with each range producing two villages around Old Oyo National Park, were randomly selected for wildlife assessment. A total of 80 well-structured questionnaires were administered to the villagers with each getting 20 questionnaires respectively. Data collected were subjected to inferential and descriptive statistics. Result shows that among other socio demographic characteristics tested against the impact of Human –wildlife conflict in the park, educational level and religion show significant difference (p<0.05). the buffer zone around the park has been extensively encroached; this made most of the surrounding villages to the park fall within the average distance of 2.6km. about 79% of the villages make use of fire wood for their household cooking. Major animals that intrude farmlands in the study areas include monkey (24%), Grasscutter (11%), Cattle (19%), Gorilla (12%), Antelope (6%), Cane rat (5%) and Rabbit (3%). Some of the crops attacked by the wildlife animals include; tubers (24%), tubers and vegetable (7%), tubers and fruits (36%), tubers, vegetable and fruits (3%), vegetable (7%), fruits (3%). All the respondents (100%) rated the level of attack and damages to their crops as high.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Waterholes and Soil in a Wildlife Park: A Case Study of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Analysing the physicochemical characteristics of water and soil in conservation areas gives information about their quality and the effective management strategies wildlife conservationists could adopt. The study assessed thephysicochemical characteristics of selected perennial rivers and soil samples in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. A totalof 24 composited surface water and 36 topsoil samples were collected using grab and random sampling techniques,respectively for four seasons (two dry and two wet) for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). The samples were analysed for selected physicochemical characteristics using standard methods. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential (ANOVA) statistics SPSS (version 20.0) at α0.05. The result showed that the mean values (in the water samples) of Total Suspended Solids (673.13±592.10) in dry season 2018, Total Solids (799.37±610.17) in dry season 2018, and Sulphate (469.34±354.94) in dry season 2017 were above the comparable WHO permissible limit while the mean values (in the soil samples) of total nitrogen (except dry season 2018), exchangeable Magnesium and Potassium (across all the seasons) were above the comparable critical limits. There were significant differences in all the physicochemical characteristics of water sampled [except pH (P=0.12), chloride (P=0.96) and BOD (P=0.86)] while organic carbon (P=0.047), organic matter (P=0.041), nitrogen (P=0.020), calcium (P=0.016), total exchangeable bases (P=0.009) and effective cation exchange capacity (P=0.033) in soils were significantly different across the seasons of sampling. The soil physicochemical parameters above comparable critical limits may have elicited from the impact of anthropogenic activities by the surrounding communities with possible implication on wild animal health in the park.

Soil Radionuclide Concentration and Radiological Assessment in selected Tourist Centres in Southwest Nigeria

The natural radioactivity in the soils ofselected tourist centres in Southwest Nigeria was determined using gamma-ray spectrometer comprising a 3” x 3”Nal(TI) detector coupled to a Camberra series 10 MCA. Twenty(20) soil samples were collected from the five tourist centres. Four soil samples each were collected from Idanre hills (ID) in OndoState, Ikogosi warmspring (IKG) in EkitiState, Erin-Ijesha (EI) waterfall in OsunState, Olumo rock (OL) in OgunState,and Old Oyo National Park (OONP) in Oyo State. The Activity Concentrations (AC) were measured in Bqkg -1 . The AC at ID ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 41.93±4.74 for 226 Ra, BDL to 49.37±2.90 for 232 Th, and 643.27±33.36 to 2040.16±104.33 for 40 K with respective mean values of 17.55±2.01, 23.61±1.86, and 1221.90±62.9. At IKG, AC ranged from BDL to 70.43±7.76 for 226 Ra and 75.25±3.94 to 550.16±28.69 for 40 K with mean values of44.51±4.94 and 255.14±13.38 respectively while 232 Th was BDL. At EI, AC ranged from BDL to 35.32±4.18 for 226 Ra, 139.60±7.37 to 452.71±23.60 for 40 K with mean values of 10.64±0.94 and 285.55±8.81 respectively while 232 Th was BDL. At OL, AC ranged fromBDL to 87.78±10.47 for 226 Ra, 3.95±0.23 to 84.08±4.99 for 232 Th, and 528.49±27.68 to 2159.01±112.85 for 40 K with mean values of 21.94±2.57, 52.66±10.34 and 1533.63±79.82respectively. For OONP, AC ranged from BDL to 72.66±7.72 for 226 Ra, and 247.04±13.12 to 611.10±32.05 for 40 K with mean values of 22.11±2.40 and 450.93±23.33 respectively while 232 Th was BDL.The maximum and minimum Absorbed dose rate meanvalues were foundto be 111.40±10.74 in OL and 16.82±1.19 nGyh -1 in EI respectively while that of the outdoor Annual Effective Dose and the Radium equivalent values for all the study centreswere also estimated and comapared to the world limits.

Akin Ogundiran: Archaeology of the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire, 2017–2021—a Photo Exhibition. Multipurpose Hall of the Old Oyo National Park (Nigerian National Park Service), Ọ̀yọ́, Nigeria. May 10, 2021 till further notice

Akin Ogundiran: Archaeology of the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire, 2017–2021—a Photo Exhibition. Multipurpose Hall of the Old Oyo National Park (Nigerian National Park Service), Ọ̀yọ́, Nigeria. May 10, 2021 till further notice

VIEWS AND GAINS OF WOMEN ON BUSH MEAT TRADE IN BUFFER ZONE RANGES OF OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

The study examined the views and gains of women on bush meat trade in Buffer Zone Ranges of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 270 women living in the study area. Data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Results showed that majority of the respondents were within the age bracket of more than 40 years (57.78%), married (72.96%), had formal education (61.85%) and earned an average of less than 40000 Naira monthly (51.48%). The respondents indicated a high view that unregulated hunting and business of wild animal species as a factor that can destroy the environment (x ̅= 6.54) and on hunting and business of bush meat as not being a good livelihood activity (x ̅= 5.14). The gains of women on bush meat trade in the study area are that it guarantees them cheap access to animal protein (x ̅= 6.86) and the business in bush meat gives them a high return (x ̅= 6.17). The linear regression results showed that age (β1 = +0.467), household size (β2 = +0.621), education (β3 = +0.652) and average monthly income (β4 = +0.803) of the respondents significantly influenced their view on bush meat trade in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommended that massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked upon by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to change their mind-set of women on the implication of bush meat trade in the study area.

Nitrogen Status and Canopy Density Detection of Vegetation Using Multispectral Data

The use of ground-based multispectral data for the evaluation of plant water stress and nitrogen status in Old Oyo national Park, Nigeria was conducted and classification was performed. The active area of nitrogen concentration in hectares was between 0.0 and 0.4. This active area was expressed in hectares (ha) and percentages (%) respectively. From the assessment, 53.52 ha (69%) and 24.29 ha (31%) were recorded at 0.2-0.4 and 0.0-0.2 ha, respectively. Heat stress takes place when the regular temperature is above 30 °C, which could slow down plant growth and lead to the threat of deficiency. The heat stress reached a maximum of 40 °C in this analysis between February and May. The research concluded that the sustainability of crops and trees requires a certain quantity of 69 percent nitrogen and a certain level of wetness for their growth which is between 400 mm and 800 mm rainfall.

Microbial pathogen contamination of waterholes in old Oyo national park: possible wildlife and animal health implications

Surface water quality is an important module of the aquatic ecosystem which is crucial to wildlife and environmental health. The term water quality is sometimes extended to include biodiversity of waters and biological indicators or ecological health. Microbiological examination of water is an essential tool to investigate the presence of microorganisms that might constitute a hazard to both animal and public health. Microbiological examination of waterholes in national parks is thus crucial in assessing ecosystem health. The study therefore aimed at assessing the bacteriological and mycological characteristics of perennial waterholes in Old Oyo National Park (OONP), Nigeria. Coliform test was performed using the most probable number (MPN) technique and heterotrophic plate count (aerobic) by Pour Plate method while fungi count was done using the direct plate and dilution plate methods. Microbial populations were expressed as colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml). Different species of microflora were observed in the sampled waterholes includes Bacillus sp, Aspergillus spp, Actinobacter sp, Pseudomonas sp, Penicillium sp, Enterobacter sp, Klebsiella sp, Salmonella sp, Flavobacter sp, Seratia sp and Shigella sp. The presence of Escherichia coli observed in the study is an indication of recent faecal contamination. The mean values of microbial counts of the water samples were higher during the dry season with increased water concentration and more drinking from animals a probable cause. The presence of the various microflora observed in the study could pose a serious threat to both wildlife and public health. The study gave an insight to the health of the animals over seasons in the park and how it can affect health and population and a source of contaminants to all animals. There is need for continuous assessment of water quality in waterholes in OONP as a means of ensuring good ecological health.

Application of GIS in the Protection of Natural Resources: A Case Study of Old Oyo National Park

Application of GIS in the Protection of Natural Resources: A Case Study of Old Oyo National Park