VIEWS AND GAINS OF WOMEN ON BUSH MEAT TRADE IN BUFFER ZONE RANGES OF OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA
Abstract:The
study examined the views and gains of women on bush meat trade in Buffer Zone
Ranges of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique
was used to select 270 women living in the study area. Data were collected
through a well-structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive
statistics and linear regression. Results showed that majority of the
respondents were within the age bracket of more than 40 years (57.78%), married
(72.96%), had formal education (61.85%) and earned an average of less than
40000 Naira monthly (51.48%). The respondents indicated a high view that
unregulated hunting and business of wild animal species as a factor that can
destroy the environment (x̅ = 6.54) and on hunting and business of bush meat as
not being a good livelihood activity (x̅ = 5.14). The gains of women on bush
meat trade in the study area are that it guarantees them cheap access to animal
protein (x̅ = 6.86) and the business in bush meat gives them a high return (x̅
= 6.17). The linear regression results showed that age (β1 = +0.467), household
size (β2 = +0.621), education (β3 = +0.652) and average monthly income (β4 =
+0.803) of the respondents significantly influenced their view on bush meat
trade in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommended that
massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked upon by both governmental
and non-governmental organizations to change their mind-set of women on the
implication of bush meat trade in the study area.