HUMAN IMPACTS ON ENDANGERED SPECIES IN NIGERIAby Alesandra Ibobo | 09-05-2018 10:00 |
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Nigeria had a natural abundance of forest both tropical and nontropical. For a long time, Nigerian economy relied heavily on fisheries and logging. Also Nigeria has a good supply of petroleum. Nigeria is also rich in mineral and precious metals, so mining is important as well. Though it houses much wildlife especially in the coastal areas where it borders the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria does not have a booming tourism industry. Due to the economic growth and population expansion, natural ecological system are being damaged. The coastal areas are especially affected, since many people congregate there. Some problems caused by the expansion include soil degradation, erosion, flooding, depletion of fisheries, oil pollution and coast pollution. Drought in the past years have also brought famine and loss of wildlife. Desertification is one of the worst problems and Nigeria desert is creeping southward of about 0.6km/yr. Main problem of Nigeria forest is deforestation due to uncontrolled logging and tree falling. Timber is one of Nigeria's largest source of economy. Nigeria southern rainforest is being reduced to about 3.5% each year and deforestation is a definite problem. Poaching is a problem in Nigeria, depleting wildlife population. Hunting and illegal trade of these wildlife threatens the existence of some animal species, animals that are endangered includes cheetah, the pygamy, hippopotamus, the giraffe, the black rhinoceros, the sciaters and the white throated guenon species. Another human impact on endangered species is oil spillage. Oil spill has been hazardous to surrounding wildlife, especially birds and marine animals, oil which is one of Nigeria's main commodities is often transported around the Nigeria coast and is potentially threatening because of oil spills, this makes it impossible for exotic species to be introduced along the coastal areas. Lastly, As typical of all developing countries, Nigeria is experiencing population growth which is obviously putting a strain on wildlife and its habitat through economic growth and urban expansion. The coastal lands are especially affected by this since locals resolve into hunting the often few animal species available in these communities. The government is dealing with the problem by implementing some reforestation and afforestation programmes. 95% of Nigeria's original forest have been logged and half if what is left is set aside for Primate Cross river Natural Park and Wildlife.
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