The Lawrence Jacobsen Library
Books Received (Primate-Science/PrimateLit)

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN WEST AFRICA II:
THE PROCEEDINGS OF A SYMPOSIUM OF THE NIGERIAN FIELD
SOCIETY (UK BRANCH)

Held at

The Whipsnade Wild Animal Park



9- 10th October 1999



NFS(UK) Occasional Paper No.2



INTRODUCTION


This delayed publication presents the proceedings of a symposium covering a range of aspects concerning wildlife
conservation in many parts of West Africa. The primary intention was to focus on progress or retreat in this
field since the symposium of similar title held at Kew in September 1993. [NFS (UK), Occasional Paper No. 1.]
However, new initiatives have also been accepted.


As before, the papers herein record the main presentations, much in the style of the authors and, other than
unifying the format and other features, with minimal editorial adjustment. Thanks are due to all concerned, many
travelling at considerable trouble and expense and also to those who mounted exhibits or circulated relevant
literature. We are indebted to Dr. Joyce Lowe who carried out an initial editorial vetting of the text.


We are further deeply indebted to Mr. N. Lindsay, the Curator of the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park and to the Zoological
Society of London, who most generously made available the facilities at Whipsnade for the meeting.


The Nigerian Field Society, now in the 70th year, actively pursues all aspects of wildlife, culture and custom
in West Africa The well-known and much-respected Journal of the Society appears regularly and we in the UK Branch
meet regularly and maintain close contact with the parent Society. Those seeking further information should contact
me or our Branch Joint Secretaries, as shown below.


Paul Tuley


Chairman, NFS (UK Branch)
43, Mount Place, GUILDFORD,
Surrey, GU2 4HU



Joint Secretaries, NFS (UK Branch)
Mr. and Mrs. G. Partridge,
117, Hill Gardens,
Streatley-on-Thames,
Berks, RG8 9QF



CONTENTS


The Development of National Parks in Nigeria 1
L.B. Marguba


Potential for Conservation in the Niger Delta 5
T. and M. Isoun


Mammals of the Niger Delta 10
C.B. Powell and P. Grubb


Primate Conservation in Cross River State 19
Z. Tooze


WWF Working in West Africa 25
J. Barker


The Living Earth Programme in Nigeria 29
T. Morakinyo


A Preliminary Survey of Sea Turtles in West Africa 31
A. Formia


Conservation in the Gambia? 38
E.D. Starin


Biodiversity Connections from Guinea to Togo 44
D. Byler


Conservation of West African Freshwater Fishes 47
G. Reid and G. Teugels



RSPB's Work in Sierra Leone and Ghana 52
P. Wood


Additions to the List of Ghanaian Mammals 55
P. Grubb


The Cross River Gorillas 58
J. Oates


Plant Diversity of Mt. Cameroon 63
P. Tchouto, J. Ackworth, and S. Cable



Maps and Tables


Nigerian National Parks 4


Mt. Cameroon. Existing/Proposed Forest Management Areas 64


Vegetation Types - Mt. Cameroon Region 68


Vegetation Conservation Values - Mt. Cameroon Region 69


Vegetation Types and Land Use - Mt. Cameroon Region 70



DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS IN NIGERIA - An Overview


Lawan B. Marguba


Nigeria was amalgamated into a single country in 1914. The first wildlife conservation law enacted in the
country was the Wild Animals Preservation Laws of Western Nigeria (Cap 132), in 1916. The Wild Animals
Preservation Laws of Eastern Nigeria followed this in 1928. The Wild Animal Laws of Northern Nigeria was not
enacted until 1963. Essentially, all the legislation sought to control and regulate hunting or killing of animals
and birds in their respective areas of jurisdiction. The early Europeans, who came to Nigeria as botanists,
zoologists, foresters, etc., initiated the idea of wildlife conservation in the country. Shorthose in 1931 and
Collier in 1935 made some useful suggestions on how Nigeria could conserve her wildlife resources but they were not
quite successful with the colonial administration of the time. In 1932 Col. A.H.Haywood carried out a Survey of
Wildlife Resources of West Africa and suggested that game reserves be established in savanna areas such as Borgu/Oyo
in the Southwest, the Wase/Mori area on the Jos Plateau, and Chafe/Kwiambana area in the Sokoto Province. In 1948,
the Secretary of the British Fauna Conservation Society carried out an assessment of wildlife preservation in Nigeria
and noted that the greatest obstacle to game (wildlife) preservation was human interference because forest reserves
were carved out of traditional hunting grounds. Thus, despite these efforts, the first game reserve was not established
until 1956 when Yankari was formed from the Yankari Forest Reserve. Petrides in 1962 made a comprehensive survey of
wildlife resources in Nigeria and found a considerably lower population density of wildlife resource in Nigeria than
in the neighbouring West African countries. He attributed this to excessive hunting (bush meat) and recommended that
more game reserves be established. He also recommended the establishment of a Wildlife Advisory Board with
professionally trained ecologists to protect wildlife resources. The establishment of Yankari Game Reserve triggered
the establishment of more game reserves in Nigeria. By 1975, there were 36 game reserves across the country.



HOW TO OBTAIN:




To borrow this document, contact Joanne Brown (brown@primate.wisc.edu),
Head of Technical Services, Wisconsin Primate Research Center Library and Information Service, University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Fax: 1-608-263-3512