Challenges of Wildlife Conservation in Protected Area

Due to lack of sustainable use of wild resources and destruction of biological diversity, protected areas are being established in many countries under the guidance of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature... [ view full abstract ]

Due to lack of sustainable use of wild resources and destruction of biological diversity, protected areas are being established in many countries under the guidance of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to conserve biodiversity. The study was conducted in Okomu National Park. Stratified random sampling technique was employed. Fifty respondents were selected in communities adjacent to the protected area. An open – ended questionnaire and a flow chart were administered to the respondents. There is a need for campaign against unregulated hunting and harvesting of wild species. Community should be included when making policies for the protected area, so that their needs are known and alternative form of livelihoods are provided within the conservation strategy. This will guarantee less illegal activities pressure on wild species and thereby maintaining the stability of biological diversity within the ecosystem.

Key words: Sustainable, Wild resources, National Park, Illegal activities