Constraints of Sustainable Management Strategies for Wildlife Resources in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Constraints of sustainable management of wildlife resource generated concern to wildlife conservators. The threat of extinction and to some extent depletion of wildlife resource emanated from such constraints. The identified constraints would provide baseline information for conservationists and researchers to develop emerging management concepts. The sampling tools consistof structured questionnaire with close and open ended questions and interview guide to elicit information from the public respondents and Focus group at the LGAs level. There was no significance difference (P>0.05) between the constraints indicated by the public respondents on domestication/captive breeding. The indication by the focus group of the need for an indebt research on selection and biological parameters of wild animals meant for domestication/captive breeding and the prejudices exhibited by the public in some communities were not mentioned by the public respondents. In respect of game ranching, both the public and focus respondents agreed that land tenure system, illegal hunting, diseases and natural disasters are the constraints likely to affect game ranching programmes.. Findings of the statistical analysis showed that significant difference (P<0.05) exist between the constraints listed by the public respondents. Constraints on integration of wild animals with livestock production revealed the problem of taming wild animals and prejudices as major constraints on this strategy. These constraints were not unconnected with increasing population pressures, which has inevitably led to intensive land use practices Hence, option for long-term conservation of wildlife resources and that the management is based on the concepts of community management strategies for sustainable utilization.