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VOL. 8, ISSUE 2 (2026)

Participation of community in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation in Edo State, Nigeria

Authors

Okonta B O, Iloba C I, Emaziye P O

Abstract

The main aim of this was to examine the participation of community in wildlife management and biodiversity in Edo state Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 480 respondents. Data was collected with the aid of questionnaire and trained assistants and enumerators which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study reveals that community-based programmes reduce illegal hunting, improve biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration promotion, increase environmental awareness and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders were the key community-based wildlife conservation programmes used in promoting biodiversity. The study also showed the challenges limit effective community participation in wildlife conservation and management. The major challenges were poverty that limits participation, lack of incentives reduces participation, human wildlife conflict that discourages participation, weak institutional support which affects participation and inadequate funding that hinders conservation. Lastly the study exposed strategies that can enhance community participation in wildlife conservation and management in Nigeria. The major strategies can enhance community participation in wildlife conservation and management in Nigeria were increase environmental education, improve benefit-sharing, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, increase government funding and promote alternative livelihoods. All the null hypotheses were rejected since there were strong positive relationship among the variables with the p-value < 0.005 and r > 0.50. The study recommends that conservation agencies should intensify environmental education and awareness campaigns to improve public understanding of biodiversity conservation and sustainable wildlife management. Government should increase financial and technical support for wildlife conservation, including improved infrastructure, personnel training, research, and monitoring.

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Pages:122-127

How to cite this article:

Okonta B O, Iloba C I, Emaziye P O "Participation of community in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation in Edo State, Nigeria". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 122-127

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