This study looked into Assessing the Bushmeat Exploitation by hunters in Ifon Area of Ondo State. A complete set of Questionnaire was designed and administered to 30 hunters in the area. Personal visits and observation was made, while discussions and interviews are made use of to collate information on the study area. The Data collected was analyzed using Descriptive Statistics which includes Frequency Distribution and Percentage, Measure of Central Tendency and Measure of Dispersion. The Results revealed the bushmeat species consumed, their level of awareness with regard to the negative impact that Bushmeat Exploitation had on Wildlife Conservation was very low. As urban populations continue to grow and economies revitalize, unless action is taken to alter the demand for and supply of bushmeat, Ifon Area of Ondo State will be progressively stripped of certain wildlife species, risking their extirpation or extinction, and the loss of values they confer to local economies. Consequently, it is essential that, logging companies are encouraged or coerced not to facilitate bushmeat hunting and transportation in their concessions. Social marketing activities should be put in place to attempt to direct consumer preferences for animal protein away from bushmeat species that are particularly susceptible to over-exploitation.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHODOLOGY
3. RESULTS
4. DISCUSSIONS
5. CONCLUSIONS
6. REFERENCES
Research Objectives and Topics
This study aims to assess the state of bushmeat exploitation by hunters in the Ifon Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, by analyzing demographic factors, awareness levels regarding wildlife conservation, and the socio-economic drivers of hunting practices.
- Demographic profiling of hunters in the Ifon region.
- Evaluation of hunters' awareness regarding the environmental impact of bushmeat exploitation.
- Analysis of the transition from subsistence to commercial hunting.
- Assessment of current wildlife sustainability and the risks of species extinction in local forests.
- Exploration of social marketing and policy interventions to mitigate over-exploitation.
Excerpt from the Book
DISCUSSIONS
All 30 respondents Hunters from the Ifon Area of Ondo State were males, reflecting the fact that trading and hunting of wildlife are male-dominated occupation. The majority of the hunter’s belief that exploitation of bushmeat doesn’t have any effect on wildlife in the area, they often say that the rate of production is higher than the rate of exploitation i.e the rate at which the animal reproduce in the wild at Ifon area of Ondo State is higher compare to the rate at which they are exploiting them, and as such, their exploitation doesn’t have effect on the wildlife in the area. These clearly show the extent to their level of awareness, because no matter how plenty the wildlife are in the bush, if they are exploited without check, the number will be depleting at a gradual or steady rate, which will at the end result in extinction. Some are aware of the Laws relating to bushmeat but belief that bushmeat is part of God gift to man that should be killed and eaten at anytime one wishes even depend on for sustenance.
The positive impact of hunting is felt by the hunters and they also attribute the economy development of the community to bushmeat exploitation because they most often take some of the bushmeat to urban area at times where they are bought at high cost which fetch them money. When the animals are killed, they are often sold fresh or smoked to the people. But in most cases the bushmeat is smoked so as to preserve it from rotten or decaying with the passing of days. Some hunters stipulated that they hunt animals for leisure, while the greater number of them hunts due to hardship and to support their family. Some even says that if any member of his family is not in-support, such individual run the risk of not having any share in anything derived from the bushmeat or the bushmeat itself.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of bushmeat as a protein source in Africa and discusses the transition from subsistence to commercial hunting practices.
METHODOLOGY: Describes the geographical and socio-economic context of the study area in Ifon, Ondo State, and outlines the descriptive statistical methods used to analyze field data.
RESULTS: Presents the demographic characteristics of the surveyed hunters, including age, marital status, and educational attainment, alongside findings on their perceptions of bushmeat exploitation.
DISCUSSIONS: Interprets the findings regarding the male-dominated nature of the trade and the hunters' limited awareness of the negative impacts of over-exploitation on biodiversity.
CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes the long-term ecological risks and advocates for policy changes, including providing economic alternatives to hunters to prevent further species extinction.
REFERENCES: Lists the academic and institutional literature utilized to support the study’s findings and theoretical framework.
Keywords
Bushmeat, Bushmeat Exploitation, Wildlife Conservation, Social Marketing, Sustainability, Ifon, Hunting, Biodiversity, Socio-economics, Wildlife Management, Forest Resources, Animal Protein, Extinction, Nigeria, Subsistence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the extent and implications of bushmeat exploitation by hunters within the Ifon area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
What are the central themes discussed in the study?
The key themes include the socio-economic motivations of hunters, the impact of commercial hunting on wildlife populations, and the level of public awareness regarding wildlife conservation.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The primary goal is to assess how current hunting practices affect local wildlife density and to highlight the risks of unsustainable exploitation in the study area.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The researchers employed descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution, percentages, and measures of central tendency and dispersion, based on data from 30 hunters.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The body chapters cover the transition from subsistence to commercial hunting, demographic profiles of local hunters, and the perceived environmental impact of their activities.
Which keywords characterize this research?
The core keywords include Bushmeat, Wildlife Conservation, Social Marketing, Sustainability, and Biodiversity.
Why are males the primary demographic represented in the hunting sector in Ifon?
The findings indicate that hunting and the subsequent trade of wildlife in the Ifon area are culturally and practically considered male-dominated occupations.
How does the study propose to curb the over-exploitation of bushmeat?
The study suggests that authorities should provide alternative income sources for young people and ensure consumers have access to affordable, palatable protein alternatives to reduce dependence on bushmeat.
Do the hunters perceive their activities as harmful to the environment?
Most hunters surveyed do not view their activities as harmful, often expressing the belief that natural production rates exceed their harvest levels.
- Quote paper
- Aduloju Mayowa (Author), 2012, Assessment of Bushmeat Exploitation by Hunters in Ifon Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286372
