%0 Journal Article
%T Mammal Species Composition in Ini Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
%A Abraham Adebayo Adewumi
%A Albert Jeremiah Udo
%A Gbolagade Akeem Lameed
%J Natural Resources
%P 181-189
%@ 2158-7086
%D 2022
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/nr.2022.139012
%X Ini Local Government Area (ILGA) is the home of biodiversity, rich in
many species of fauna and flora. However, anthropogenic activities carried out
by the inhabitants of this area have been a threat to the ecosystem, thereby
exterminating the wildlife resources. The data for this study were collected
from in-depth interviews with hunters, bushmeat markets, bushmeat sellers,
indirect and direct wildlife survey methods, and a semi-structured
questionnaire was employed for the household survey. A multiple sampling
technique was adopted. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to
stratify the study area into six strata (clans). A proportional sampling
technique was used to select 11 villages. In contrast, 60 household heads were
randomly selected for questionnaire administration. The study revealed
seventeen (17) species of mammal, which accounted for four orders, with
Rodentia being the highest (47%). Most species (94%) had the conservation
status of Least Concern (LC) </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">based on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Furthermore, illegal</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> hunting and
deforestation for agriculture and infrastructural development in the area have
led to the loss of wildlife habitats. Thus, a great need for conservat</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ion and management practices to protect these
vulnerable mammals an</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">d their h</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">abitats
is needed. Hunting laws, afforestation, and reforestation progra</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ms
should be implemented.
%K Habitat
%K Ini LGA
%K Mammal
%K Wildlife Conservation
%K Species
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=120169