Abstract:
The study focused on assessing rule-breaking activities in wildlife resources governance in Imeko Game Reserve, Imeko, Ogun state Nigeria. The population for the study was the local communities within the distance of 0-10km from the reserve. A total of 20 communities were selected from 42 communities around the reserve. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were employed in this study. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were used to obtain information from villagers based on the standard of 8-12 persons per group, while personal interview was used to collect information from key informants. A total number of 135 respondents were selected from the population of the communities. The estimated population in each of the selected communities was obtained from community heads, Chiefs and community members. Data were presented descriptively and analyzed with chi-square and logistic regression. The results showed that there were more male (79.3%) than female (38.3%). A high percentage (72.60%) of the respondents was not aware of the rules governing wildlife resources in the reserve. In addition, most of the respondents frequently participate in illegal exploitation of wildlife such as encroachment (77%), fuelwood collection (57.8%) and farming (43%) resources from the reserve. Analysis of the relationship between demographic factors, awareness of rules governing natural resources, and occurrence of rule breaking activities showed that gender (P<0.01), occupation (P<0.01) and level of education (P<0.01) had significant relationship with the occurrence of rule breaking activities in the reserve. Gender (P<0.01), occupation (P<0.01) and level of education (P<0.01) were the predictors of respondents’ participation in illegal extraction of wildlife resources in the reserve. The study concluded that awareness of rules governing wildlife resources among the local communities was low, rule breaking activities were of high occurrence and there is need to improve the legal framework for conservation of wildlife resources in the reserve.
