SOCIO-ECONOMIC UTILIZATION OF WILD AQUATIC RESOURCES LEADING TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS IN IBARAPA CENTRAL OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

  • A.O. Ajibade Department of Fisheries Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, P.M.B. 10, Igboora.
  • I.A. Ayodele Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
  • A.T Adetuga Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
  • A. O. Taiwo Department Agricultural Extension, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, P.M.B. 10, Igboora.
  • L. Y. Olawumi Department of Fisheries Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, P.M.B. 10, Igboora.
  • I.T. Bello Department of Fisheries Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, P.M.B. 10, Igboora.
Keywords: Utilization, Aquatic resources, Socio-economic, Ibarapa, Oyo State

Abstract

The unlimited exploitation of aquatic wildlife in the natural water bodies is a threat to their continuous existence and sustainability. This study therefore identified the distribution and degree of utilization of wild aquatic and terrestrial resources in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area. Two main markets were sampled through the wildlife traders called 'Lekuleja'. Questionnaires and purposive sampling techniques were used by targeting the wildlife traders, selected buyers of wildlife and traditionalists. Slovin"s formula also helped in the choice of adequate representation of the sampled population. Women were the sole operators of the aquatic wildlife trade and are called 'Lekuleja'. Utilization of the aquatic resource, in descending order, recognizes medicinal /traditional use (50.9%), economic use (39.6%), nutritional use (10.5%), and industrial use (0.0%). The most exploited aquatic classes are the fin fishes and amphibians; contributing abundantly to trade volume at 21.1% and 10.5%, respectively. Traditional use accommodated diverse application to better the survival of rural dwellers such as anti-car accident, increase in sexual drive, and curing infertility in women. Nutritionally, all are edible except theAfrican clawed toad.All are sources of economic empowerment by sale. Rational utilization of these resources should be employed through regulation by local government authority to avoid extinction through the wildlife traders. Wildlife reserves through established parks and dams should also be proactive towards conservation while ecotourism should
be encouraged.

Published
2024-08-30
Issue
Vol 19 No 1 (2024): Vol. 19
Section
Articles