A SURVEY OF WILDLIFE SPECIES UTILIZED AS BUSH MEAT IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A survey of wildlife species utilized as food(bushmeat) was carried for six- months; October to December 2004 and June to August 2005. The study was to investigate the species of wild animals utilized as food (bushmeat), preference species, seasonal abundance and other uses of wild animals apart from food. Three methods; direct observation, use of structured questionnaire, and oral interview were used to collect data for this work. Two bushmeat markets; Oja-oba and Owena were selected as sites for a detailed market survey. Data was collected on daily basis during the work. A total of 1500 questionnaires was administered to hunters, bushmeat sellers and consumers in 10 selected local government areas in the state. Oral interview was adopted to enhance and confirm information obtained from the first two methods adopted. The results revealed that 14 species of wild animals belonging to 6 classes were utilized as food in the study area. It was also observed that rodents formed the majority of the species utilized. Primates and carnivores had a low percentage of the meat value in the state. The results at the two study sites in both dry and wet seasons indicated that grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is the most preferred species followed closely by Maxwells' duiker(Cephalophus, maxw~lli).The statistical analysis revealed that there is significant difference between the wild animals utilized at different locations (Fcal >/ Ftab; 3.34 >/0.32). The result also showed a slight correlation between wild animals utilized at different seasons; r=49. Apart from the meat value, wild animals were also valued for their trophies in traditional drum making. The management implication of the study was also discussed.