DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i12.007

Pages: 664-668

Abstract: The meat of wild animals has been the primary source of animal protein particularly for the forest rural dwellers. Hunting for wild animals is one of the oldest professions handed down from our fore fathers to interested descendants. A survey on different hunting methods adopted by hunters was carried out in Obot Akara and Oluyole Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom and Oyo states respectively. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection in purposively selected communities. Descriptive statistical technique was used to analyse the variables. The result revealed that three hunting methods were practiced which include the use of trap, bait and gun. They were ranked in the following order: trap>bait>gun represented with the values 53.57%>35.71%>10.71%, respectively. Based on these findings, hunting with bait had more disadvantage because most baits used for hunting tend to persist in the environment, increasing exposure and toxicity to wildlife and humans either through direct contact with the compound or through secondary exposure after ingesting contaminated food items. It is therefore recommended that government should educate hunters on the advantages and disadvantages of indiscriminate hunting. Laws should also be promulgated and enforced to forestall the use of deleterious means of hunting while meting stiff penalties to culprits. It is very pertinent that in situ conservation as an alternative source of animal protein will further forestall the indiscriminate and excessive hunting, which will further minimise extinction of the very many valuable species that play major roles in the ecosystems.