Occurrence and habitat preference of wildanimal in T. A. Afolayan wildlife park, Nigeria

Habitat preference of wildanimals in T. A. Afolayan Wildlife Park, Nigeria

Abstract

Adequate knowledge of the occurrence and habitat preference of wild fauna species in an ecosystem is critical for taking stock of what is available and improving its effective management. This study was conducted at the T.A. Afolayan Wildlife Park in Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. Data on population and species of animal in relation to the habitat where they are found was obtained using Camera trap, direct and indirect methods along the established transect in the park. Vegetation data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Shannon Werner Diversity Index (H). Result showed that six species of wild animals were observed which include tree squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), maxwell duiker (Philantomba maxwellii), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), black cobra (Naja nigricollis), flat-headed cusimanse (Crossarchus platycephalus) and fresh water turtle (Pelusios species). Tree squirrel has a higher naïve occupancy (NO=1.00) while fresh water turtle the lowest naïve occupancy (NO=0.14).  A total of 36 tree species belonging to 16 families were identified with Diversity index (H¹) of 2.68, also Diversity index of 2.56 and 2.00 were recorded for open secondary forest and rock outcrop vegetation respectively.  Maxwell duiker and bushbuck were encountered along the open secondary forest and degraded vegetation, tree squirrel were found in open secondary forest and the water turtle were found in Rock outcrop. The study has provided insight on the distribution of wild animal species in the park while recommending that the University administration should be proactive in the management of wildlife resources in their conservation area.