The conservation of wildlife is of great importance as it plays a vital role in biodiversity. There exist interactions between different species in nature. These interactions help to maintain a balanced ecosystem which in turn affects the quality and standard of life of humans. Forests, along with the animals that inhabit it create and preserve a quality environment and can serve educational and recreational purposes.

In Nigeria, several attempts have been made to conserve the diversity of wildlife species that exist in the country in a bid to ensure their survival. The establishment of forest reserves such as Omo forest reserve, game reserves such as yankari game reserve, national parks and other protected areas was geared towards the preservation of wildlife and its natural environment. Also, certain laws have been enacted to prevent the degradation of the natural habitat of wildlife by uncontrolled logging and to prevent the over-hunting of wildlife for food and other purposes.

Sadly, these measures have failed to yield the desired results due to a number of reasons which include insufficient data on the state of wildlife in the country, inadequate enforcement of conservation laws, illiteracy and lack of awareness among most of the populace around these protected areas. There has been reports overtime of illegal killing of animals even within the protected areas by poachers. These indiscriminate harvesting of flora and fauna in both protected and unprotected areas constitute threats to the preservation of wildlife in the country.

The Federal Government and Nigerians in general, have been called on to do everything within their ability to protect the nation's wildlife. The Government has also been called on to ensure strict compliance to conservation laws by prosecuting and placing stricter penalties on defaulters.