Factors Influencing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Communities Around Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed factors influencing human-wildlife conflicts in communities around Kainji Lake National
Park (KLNP), Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire administered on the residents of the
communities adjacent to Borgu sector of the Park. The findings showed that 53% of the respondents were aware
of human-wildlife conflict in the study area. Majority (100%) stated that crops raiding and destruction by wildlife
was the major problem faced by the surrounding communities. Human-wildlife indicators include increased need
for land for development (88%), human activities like farming, deforestation, and grazing of domesticated
animals in the park. In addition, 72% of the respondents stated that increasing human population contributes a lot
to competition between humans and wildlife in resource utilisation. It was suggested that KLNP need to do more
in sensitizing the local communities on importance of wildlife conservation.