NEW CONCEPT IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT: URBAN WILDLIFE IN HOMESTEAD HABITAT IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE.

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the presence,status and distribution of urban wildlife in homestead habitats in Port Harcourt,Rivers State, Nigeria.It was also aimed pressenting a new concept in wildlife management.

The result showed that 41% of respondents were male and 59% female. The youths (18-30years) made up of 28% adult, (31-50years) formed 27% of respondents and the aged(51-70years)was 45% . The majority of respondents were self employed (43%), 23% were students and 34% civil servants. The results also indicated that some species were seen frequently on every day basis. 65% agreed to this while 35% agreed seeing them once in a while within the two months of sampling. On the habits, respondents that agreed, wildlife were seen in houses had the highest percentage 50%,followed by closely by shop 30%, offices 18% and other environment were the lowest of 8%.These species that were observed as parasites by respondents included bats, mosquitoes, flies , millipedes, centipedes, cockroaches, lizards, frogs, grasshopper, wasps, snakes and others . Contrary ,those categorized as free living or harmless were to be protected include grass cutters, crabs . 33% agreed to this , 67% disagree they should be killed 61%. These species were found in micro-habits like houses and other living premises and in micro-habitats such as openings, cracks, walls and trees and on ceillings . Among wildlife encountered, insects were the mostly observed with 28%, closely followed by reptiles with 26% followed by birds (26%), mammals were 8% while the least was amphibians with 8%. In conclusion, wildlife and nests found in our environments should be protected not destroyed and conservation of wildlife should be responsibility of everyone.