Report Body - Sola

Okomu National Park Field Trip Report Folorunso O.S 188328
1 | P a g e
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ecotourism is often perceived as an excellent tool for promoting sustainable development in
developing countries. Many view ecotourism as a viable way to protect the natural environment
and create social economic benefits for local communities.
A national park is an environment for conservation purposes. Often, it is a reserve of natural,
semi natural or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Okomu National Park
meets the required standard for National Park establishment, especially in the areas of
naturalness of the area, presence of rare species, uniqueness of some features, the fragility of the
environment, typicalness to its host ecological zone and the historical record attached to the site.
Okomu National Park is a viable environment for the conservation of biodiversity; it serves as
tourist attraction and also provides varieties of benefit for the local communities. Our first point
of call was the Administrative building, where we were warmly welcome by the Conservator of
Park in person of Mr. Hammed Abdullahi, who gave the welcome address. Our four days trip
afforded us the opportunity of visiting important places in the park such as the Arakhuan River,
the Hanging Bridge, the Tree House and various Nature Trails. This paper work is a detailed
report about the management of the park; the park resources as well as on site activities and the
attitude of the Park employees. Appropriate recommendations were made sequel to various
findings from the field activities.

2 | P a g e
INTRODUCTION
Tourism is life; the study and understanding of its scope becomes tangible when some aspect of
the study is practicalized and this can only be achieved through visit to some of the notable
potential or existing attractions. The importance of practical approach to tourism studies cannot
be over emphasized. That is why some member of the class of 2014/2015 Tourism Development
Department of the Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan
embarked on four day academic field trip to Okomu National Park, Edo State, Nigeria from
Monday January 11 to Thursday January 14, 2016. Out of the 26 students comprises of those
offering Biodiversity Conservation and Tourism (MTD 703), Park Design Management and
Administration (PMT 707) and Ecotourism (PMT 714) under the guidance and supervision of
amiable Prof. G. A. Lameed, 24 of us were on board.
We all converged at the premises of the Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) at the
agreed time, after the transport and logistics issues have been sorted; we set of for our
remarkable field trip which started with the exploration of the ancient city of Ibadan. We
travelled through State of Osun; then we made our way to Edo State via Ore, Ondo State. The
first notable place of interest in Edo State was the popular Okada Junction which is directly
opposite Udo Junction. We routed through Iguobazuwa and Udo town into Okomu National
Park. The park is approximately 4 hours from Ibadan.
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria showing the location of Okomu National Park

3 | P a g e
Administrative Complex
At the admin office, Mr. Newton James, the head of Planning, Research and ICT conducted the
introductory session. The Conservator of Park, Mr. Hammed Abdullah in speech accord
importance to national park, and sited it as an example of ecological project for tourism. He said
the environment dictates the types of animal obtainable in a particular Park. According to him,
vegetation also affects visibility and sighting of animals. Interpretation of animal and the
environment is key and not actually the sighting of different animal; thus, location of different
Park in different ecological zone with varied vegetation allow for different habitation and
numbers of animals within the Park.
He further stressed that taking necessary step as regards security issues has contributed to the
development of the park; he affirmed that the support of the local community is also vital. He
concluded his address by welcoming us once again into the park premises and wished a fulfilling
stay.
Mr. Lawrence Osagie, the head of ecotourism unit, mentioned the departments within the admin
office which include Ecological Survey and Resource Management Department, he emphasized
that sustainable tourism and responsible tourism are embedded into ecotourism because they
create very minimum impact on the environment (ecosystem).
The CP said Okomu National Park is the last and smallest of the National Parks in Nigeria but
has more biodiversity resources and facilities than many other bigger Parks in the country.
Brief History of Okomu National Park
The Okomu National Park formerly the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest of block within the
1082km Okomu Forest Reserve in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State in
Nigeria. The park is about 60km northwest of Benin City, Nigeria. The vegetation is typical
Guinea-Congo lowland rainforest and is characterized by a mosaic of swampy forest, high forest,
secondary forest and open shrub. The park holds a small fragment of the rich forest that once
covered the region, and is the last habitat for many endangered species. It continues to shrink as
villages encroach on it, and is now less than one third of its original size. Powerful corporations
are involved in plantation development and logging concessions around the park, which also
pose a threat.
Some of the reasons for establishing the park are to preserve for future generations the unique
flora and fauna of south western Nigeria under threat from insatiable demand for timber,
farmlands and bush meat. Also, to provide ecotourism attractions and services within the
national park and in conjunction with community developmental efforts within the support and
buffer zones.

4 | P a g e
The park holds a remnant of Nigerian lowland forests that once formed a continuous 50-100km
wide belt from the Niger River west to the Dahomey Gap in Benin. To the south and southeast,
the forest was separated from the coast by mangrove and swamp forests, while it is merged into
the Guinean forest savanna mosaic eco region to the north. In the Okomu National Park there is
an extensive layer of charcoal and pottery below the forest, indicating that it was cleared and
then regenerated over the last 700 years. By the start of the 20th century the forest survived only
in disconnected blocks, which were under intense pressure from the human activity. The British
colonial administration set up series of forest reserves to manage what remained, including
controlled extraction of valuable trees such as African mahogany.
The 200km wildlife sanctuary, a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many endangered
species of flora and fauna was gazette from Okomu Forest Reserve in 1935. A survey of
Southwestern forests in Nigeria in 1982 led to a recommendation for a determined effort to
conserve the sanctuary. The state government formally defined the sanctuary in 1986; with an
area of just 66km. the Nigerian conservation foundation (NCF) took over management of the
sanctuary in 1987, and extended it to 114km by adding a one-mile wide buffer zone.
The NCF was diverted into assisting migrant farmers in the surrounding areas, in an attempt to
help the villagers find alternative means of living without encroaching on the forest. The NCF
agricultural initiatives had the preserve effect of attracting immigrants from poorer areas, and
thus increasing the pressure from illegal hunting and logging. In 1997, it was found that several
NCF employees had been involved in illegal logging within the sanctuary. In May 1999 the
sanctuary was taken over by the National Park Service.
Prior to the take-over by the National Park Service, the formerly known Wildlife Sanctuary
became a National Park in 1998; the park covers an area of 202sqkm making it the smallest of
the National Parks. Despite its size, the park is one of the richest in the country in terms of
biodiversity. It is the home of famous guenon found mostly in rain forest zones of the country.
Environment
The park is drained by the Osse River which defines its eastern boundary. The Okomu River
forms the western boundary. Rainfall is between 1,524 and 2,540 mm per year. Soils are acidic,
nutrient-poor sandy loam. Vegetation is Guinea–Congo lowland rain forest, including areas of
swamp-forest, high forest, secondary forest, and open scrub. Among the common trees are
Kapok, Celtis zenkeri, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Antiaris africana, Pycnanthus angolensis and
Alstonia congoensis. The park is probably the best example of mature secondary forest in
southwest Nigeria.
The park is accessible to tourists, and has well marked trails. There is a tree houses, 140 feet high
in a silk-cotton tree, from which visitors can view the park from above and observe bird life.
Visitors can stay at chalets built on stilts, just outside the park entrance, surrounded by fig trees

5 | P a g e
that are often occupied by Mona monkeys. Guides are available for forest walks, and will point
out such things as termite nests and the many medicinal plants.
Fauna
The park has diverse fauna, with 33 species of mammals including the African buffalo and the
endangered African forest elephant. Elephant sightings are rare, although in 2007 a one-year-old
elephant carcass was found, unlikely to have died from natural causes. Park officials claim that
elephant poaching no longer occurs, despite the high prices commanded for ivory in Lagos.
There is a population of the vulnerable white-throated guenon, a primate. Although no thorough
study of the primate population has been done since 1982, chimpanzees were reported to be
present in the region in 2009. The number of chimpanzees estimated to live in the Okomu Forest
reserve was guessed to be 25–50 in 2003, and some may use the national park at times. Other
animals found in the park include dwarf crocodiles, red river hog, sitatunga, warthog, civet cat,
Maxwell's duiker, grass cutter, mona monkey, Thomas's galago and tree pangolin.
About 150 species of birds have been identified. These include Angolan pitta, grey parrot,
wrinkled hornbill, fish eagle, hawks, woodpeckers, great owl, grey hornbill, cattle egret, black-
casqued hornbill, yellow-casqued hornbill, Sabine's spinetail, Cassin's spinetail, black spinetail,
white-breasted negrofinch, chestnut-breasted negrofinch, pale-fronted negrofinch and yellow-
throated cuckoo. Terrestrial molluscs seem exceptionally vulnerable to extinction, and low
diversity may indicate subtle environmental problems. A survey of land molluscs in a small area
of the forest found 46 species in 11 molluscan families, of which Streptaxidae snails accounted
for over a third. This is much lower diversity than has been found in Cameroon and Sabah.
However, it may be due to the very limited sample in just one area. Perhaps of greater interest to
most visitors, the park has over 700 species of colourful butterflies.
Threats
Visitors must follow strict regulations to avoid degrading the environment. However, the park is
threatened by large-scale illegal logging, the expansion of large rubber and oil-palm plantations
nearby, and incursions by a growing human population involved in farming and hunting. In
2009, the Executive Director of Life Tag, a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in
Lagos, called for urgent action by the Edo State government to prevent further illegal
encroachment and destructive logging activities in the park, which both threaten the rare species
and will destroy the long-term revenue to be earned from eco-tourism. The Federal government
has said that it is eager to partner with foreign investors to develop eco-tourism in Okomu and
other National Parks.
In October 2010, representatives of the park’s management met with leaders from the seven
major communities bordering the park and established a Local Advisory Committee. The
conservator of the park, Mohammed Yakubu Kolo, said the committee was to "provide a
platform for the park management and the local communities to work together on issues of

6 | P a g e
mutual interest, in order to achieve the park’s set-goals." He went on to say "The establishment
of LAC for Okomu Park is the most significant move ever made to guarantee the continuous
protection of its diverse rich biological resources and splendour". A forestry officer said the
move would help the communities work together to stop poaching. The protected area of the
Okomu National Forest is too small and too vulnerable. Without further efforts to improve
protection, it is unlikely that the forest will remain viable long into the future.
The following are the common threat to conservation:
 Development and urbanization
 Mining activities
 Logging
 Environmental pollution and human-wildlife conflicts
 Poaching
 Natural activities
Rationales Behind the Establishment of Okomu National Park
The following are the major objectives of setting up Okomu National Park:
1. To preserve for generations the unique flora and fauna of southwestern Nigeria under
threat from insatiable demand for timber, farmland and bush meat.
2. To monitor and evaluate changes caused by nature and human activities in adjoining
areas, thus promoting good management and understanding of the tropical moist forest
system.
3. To maintain reservoir of potentially value species and genotypes for the improvement of
crop and trees, and for the future industrial and scientific innovations in agriculture and
medicine.
4. To provide a site for ecological education, research and training conservationists
5. To provide ecotourism attractions and services within the national park and in
conjunction with community efforts within the support and Buffer zones.

7 | P a g e
OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD TRIP
The management of Okomu Park in a concerted bid to increase patronage at the park have
established a museum and research center for researchers and tourists alike, this is to further
preserve some cultural and historic relics from the park. Among many objectives attributed to
nature field trip, the following are our specific objectives of visiting Okomu National Park:
1. Research Purposes – everything about the park is relevant to our course of study and
very peculiar to some course work we offered in class such as: Biodiversity Conservation
and Tourism (MTD 703), Park Design Management and Administration (PMT 707) and
Ecotourism (PMT 714). The field trip afforded us the opportunity to know more about
ecotourism, biodiversity of flora, fauna and the ecosystem; it also enabled us to know
how Park is being set up and administered. It gave a valuable opportunity for some us
that want to research about National Parks and its various related issues.
2. Recreational Purposes – we availed ourselves of the opportunity to enjoy some of the
facilities in the Park that serves recreational purposes. These facilities include: side
attractions such as tree house, hanging bridge, swimming pool and amusement facilities.
3. Practical Experiences – in its core sense, ‘seeing believes’. This was made evident by
our visitation to the Park. Some of the theories of biodiversity, ecotourism and park
design that we have taught in class were within our reach for us to feel, touch and behold.
Then it added to our knowledge and understating of the courses involved as well as the
real scope of nature conservation.
4. Promotional Purposes: our visit to the park has some promotional attachment in the
sense that our reports, observations and recommendation would turn out to be vital for
decision makers and government agencies, it would be useful for tourism practitioners at
different level and sphere of the industry.
Figure 2: the objectives of the field trip
Research purpose Practical purpose
Promotional Purpose Recreational Purpose

8 | P a g e
LITERATURE REVIEW
Nigeria’s current network of protected areas includes a biosphere reserve, 7 national parks, 445
forest reserves, 12 strict nature reserves and 29 game reserves including the popular Yankari
game reserve. Other sanctuaries and game reserves are in the pipeline.
National Parks are protected natural spaces throughout the country that represent distinct
geographical regions of the nation. National Parks allow for public enjoyment without
compromising the area for future generations, including the management of wildlife and habitat
within the ecosystems of the park. The total areas of land under national parks are about 2.4
million hectares.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity, a contraction of "biological diversity," generally refers to the variety and variability
of life on Earth. One of the most widely used definitions defines it in terms of the variability
within species, between species, and between ecosystems. It is a measure of the variety of
organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem
variation, or species variation (number of species).
 Species Variation: Most people recognize biodiversity by species. A species is a group
of living organisms that can interbreed. Biodiversity includes the full range of species
that live in an area.
 Genetic Variation: is the variation in genes that exists within a species. There can be a lot
of variation in genes they are the colours, sizes, and shapes.
 Ecological Variation: is the diversity of ecosystems, natural communities and habitats. It
is the variety of ways that species interact with each other and their environment. The
forests of Nigeria differ from the forests of Ghana by the types of species found in their
separate ecosystems, as well as the temperature and rainfall.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is now defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment,
sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education" (TIES,
2015). Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.
Ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism. It is responsible travel to fragile pristine and
usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale (Lammed, 2010).
The Australia commission on National Ecotourism strategy calls it: “nature based tourism that
involves education and interpretation of the natural environmental and is managed to be
ecologically sustainable” Ecotourism is a sector of tourism, based on nature travel and including
the principles of sustainability. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism

9 | P a g e
as: “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the
welfare of local people.”
The complexity nature of ecotourism is explained in the diagram below:
Figure 3: Ecotourism and its nature
Principles of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that
those who implement, participate in and market ecotourism activities should adopt the following
ecotourism principles:
1. Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts.
2. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
3. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
5. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
6. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host
countries' political, environmental, and social climates.
7. Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
8. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community
and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.
9. Contribute to the conservation of biodiversity

10 | P a g e
10. Sustain the well being of the local people
11. Include an interpretation and learning experience
12. Involve responsible action on part of the tourist and tourism industry
13. Is delivered primarily to small group by small scale business
14. Requires lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources
15. Stresses local participation, ownership and business opportunities for the locals
Nigeria National Parks
Nigeria’s present day National Parks and Game Reserves were originally forest reserves, first
established in the early 1900s. The British colonial administration spearheaded the creation of
game reserves to conserve wildlife to provide protein supplement and also for posterity.
Col. A. H. Haywood recommend the establishment of game reserves in the savanah region of
Nigeria, particularly in Borgu/Oyo; Wase/Muri and the Chafe/Kwiambana areas after the survey
of the wildlife resources of West Africa in 1932. He recommended the establishment of Game
Department to coordinate wildlife management, enforce wildlife laws and protect endangered
species such as Chimpanzee (Pan troglodyte), Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), Ostrich (Struthio
camelus), Rhinoceros (Diceros bovornis), Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), Pigmy
hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) and Water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus).
In 1962, a comprehensive survey conducted on wildlife situation in Nigeria showed drastic
reduction in wildlife population when compared with neighbouring countries, a trend attributed
to excessive hunting. This led to a recommendation preventing hunting or capture of all species
threatened with extinction, a strict limit to the hunting of species with low or reduced numbers; a
ban on night hunting and establishment of closed hunting seasons.
Furthermore, it was recommended that the establishment of more game reserves, and of a
wildlife advisor board with professionally trained ecologist to protect wildlife resources should
implement management programmes, research and public should be intensified in the vicinity of
Lake Chad, Jos Plateau, Lafia (north of River Benue), Mambilla and Obudu, (for gorillas and
chimpanzees), Cross River, Upper Ogun and Gilligilli and should be designated as game
reserves.
The Borgu Game Reserve and the adjacent Zuguruma Game Reserve both in Niger and Kwara
State were joined together in September 1975 to form Kainji Lake National Park which became
the first National Park in Nigeria. It was fully put into practice in 1979 when the 1st Obasanjo
administration promulgated Decree 46 of 1979 (Military) later Act 46 of 1979 (democratic) and
proclaimed Kainji Lake National Park. The 1979 law repelled and replaced by Decree 36 of 1991
which effectively established 5 National Parks including Kainji Lake National Park. Other are:
 Chad Basin National Park
 Cross River National Park

11 | P a g e
 Gashaka-Gumti National Park
 Old Oyo National Park
In the same way, by a special request of the Bauchi State government, the Federal Executive
Council approved the upgrading of Yankari National Park in 1991; the same decree 36 of 1991
established additional two National Parks, Kamuku National Park and Okomu National Park in
Kaduna and Edo State respectively, bringing the number of National Park to 8. The new law
makes the organization a paramilitary one. The present National Park law is comprehensive and
proactive and at the same time sensitive to the needs of the rural community.
In April 2006, the Bauchi State government under the leadership of Babangida Muazu, drew the
attention of the federal government requesting for the release of the Yankari National Park to
Bauchi State. The law addressed many apparent shortcoming of the repelled and introduced new
clause crucial to modern Park management as well. Above all, it has included fresh ideas capable
of ensuring harmony between National Park and their immediate communities.
S/No Name of National Park Size Location Vegetation
1 Kainji Lake National Park 5340.82sqkm The park is located in the
northwest central part of
Nigeria between Niger and
Kwara.
Guinea Savannah
2 Chad Basin National Park 2258sqkm Located in the extreme
north eastern corner of
Nigeria across Borno and
Yobe.
Sahel Savannah
3 Cross River National Park 4000sqkm Located extreme south
eastern corner of Nigeria,
cross river state.
Lowland Rainforest
4 Gashaka Gumti National Park 6731sqkm Located in Adamawa and
Taraba state on the famous
Mambilla Plateau
Guinea Savannah/
Mountainous Area
5 Old Oyo National Park 2512sqkm Located in west central
part of Nigeria in northern
Oyo state
Dry Forest/Guinea
Savannah
6 Kamuku National Park 1121sqkm Located in north central
part of the country in
Kaduna state
Guinea Savannah
7 Okomu National Park 1082sqkm Located in Ovia south
west in Edo state
Lowland Rainforest
Table 1: National Parks in Nigeria and their attributes

12 | P a g e
Resources of Okomu National Park
Okomu National Park previously the Okomu wildlife sanctuary is a forest block set within the
1082sqkm Okomu forest reserve and situated about 60km north west of the city of Benin. The
vegetation is typical Guinea-Congo low land rain forest and is characterized by a mosaic of
swamp forest, high forest, secondary forest and open scrub. The soil are sandy loam and acidic.
The main annual rainfall is about 2100mm and exposed soil are nutrient poor as a result of
leaching. The reserve main drainage (water body) is the southerly flowing Osseriver which forms
it eastern boundary. The following are the likely trees that are seen at Okomu National Park:
 Silk Cotton Tree- Ceibapentandra
 Celtiszenkeri
 Triplocaitonscleroxylon
 Antiaris Africana
 Pycnanthusangolensis
 Alstoniacongoensis
Fauna resources include:
 Forest elephant- Loxodonta Africana cyclotis
 Forest buffalo- Synceruscaffernanus
 Wrinkled Hornbill
 Great Owl
 Grey Hornbill
 Maxwell's Duiker
 Civet Cat
 Dwarf Crocodiles
Primates include:
 Free hyrax- Dendrohyrax dorsalis
 Red capped mongabey- Cercocebustorquatus
 White throated monkey- Cercopithecuserythrogaster
 Mona monkey- Cercopithecusmona
Table 2: Checklist of some fauna resources in Okomu National Park
s/n Common Name Scientific Names
1 West African chimpanzee Pantroglodytes versus
2 Olive colobus Colobus verus
3 Western pied colobus Colobus polykomus
4 Pennantis colobus Poliocolobus pennant

13 | P a g e
5 Red capped mangabey Cercopithecus torquatus
6 Mona monkey Cercopithecus mona
7 Putty nosed monkey Cercopithecus micititans
8 Sclaters monkey Cercopithecus sclateri
9 Nigerian white throated monkey Cercopithecus erythrogaster
10 Potto Perodicticus potto
11 Demidoff galago Galagoides demidoff
12 Straw colored fruit bat Eidolon helvum
13 Collared fruit bat Myonycteris spp
14 Singing fruit bat Epomops spp
15 Nectar bat Megalaglossus woermanni
16 Hairy bat Myotis spp
17 Butterfly bat Chalmolobus spp
18 Stripped ground squirrel Euxerus erythropus
19 African giant squirrel Protaxcrus stranger
20 Brush tailed porcupine Artherurus africanus
21 Marsh cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus
22 Velvet rat Colomys gostingi
23 zebra mice Lemmiscomys spp
24 Bush rat Aethomys spp
25 Common mice Muss spp
26 White tailed mongoose Ichneumon albicauda
27 Cusimanse mongoose Crossarchs obciurus
28 Blotched genet Genetta tigrina
29 Civet cat Viverra civetta
30 African palm civet Nandina binotata
31 Wild cat Felis sylvestris
32 Serval cat Felis serval
33 Genet cat Genetta
34 Leopard Panthera pardus
35 Long tailed pangolin Uromainis tetradactylia
36 Tree pangolin Phataginus tricuspis
37 Aardvark Orycteropus afer
38 Tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis
39 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious
40 Pygmy hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis
41 African forest elephant Loxondonta Africana cyclotis
42 Red river hog Potamochoerus porcus
43 Harnessed bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus

14 | P a g e
44 Bongo Tragelaphus euryceros
45 Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii
46 Maxwell’s duiker Cephalophus maxwelli
47 Blue duiker Cephalophus monticola
48 Black duiker Cephalophus niger
49 African forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus
50 Warthog Pharcochorus aethiopicus
51 Short nosed crocodile Osteolaemus tetrapis
52 Land tortoise Chelonidae spp
53 Barn owl Tyto alba
54 Royal python Python regius
55 Cobra Cobra spp
56 Gabon viper Viperidate spp
57 Guinea fowl Numidian meleagris
58 Gray hornbill Tockus nasutus
59 Senegal coucal Centropus senegalensis
60 Cattle egret Ardeola ibis
Table 3: Checklist of some Birds in Okomu National Park
1 Crested guinea fowl Guttera pucherani
2 African green pigeon Treron calva
3 Piping hornbill Ceratogymina fistubators
4 Great blue turaco Corythaeola cristata
5 African palm vulture Gypohierax angolensis
6 Senegal coucal Centropus senegalensis
7 African pied hornbill Toskus fasciatus
8 Lizard buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus
9 Gay parrot Psittacus erithacus
10 Pin tailed whydah Vidua macroura
11 White bellied kingfisher Alcedo leucoglar
12 Splendit sunbird Cinnyris coccinigaster
13 Common bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
14 Black kite Milvus migrans
15 White casqued hornbill Casqued
16 Black hornbill Ceratogymina atrata

15 | P a g e
Table 4: Checklist of Reptile and Amphibians in Okomu National Park
1 Monitor lizard Veranus niloticus
2 Tortoise Chelonidae spp
3 Crocodile Crocodilus niloticus
4 Black cobra Naja melanoleuca
5 Puff adder Bitis arientas
Table 5: Checklist of some flora resources in Okomu National Park
s/n Scientific Name Common Names
1 Aframomum latifolium Grape seeded amonu
2 Afzelia Africana Apa
3 Albizzia zygia Ekpaghudo
4 Alstonia bonlic Pahernwodo
5 Achormis difformis Onikoro
6 Anopynis eacaensis Eto
7 Amphimas pterocarpiodes Arwo
8 Allanblackia floribunda Talon tree
9 Anonidium manii Oghedegbo
10 Antiaris Africana Barkcloth tree
11 Baphia nitida Camwood
12 Blighia sapida Akee tree
13 Bornban buonopozense Red flowered silk tree
14 Bosqucia angolensia Ukputu
15 Baphia puescens Emuen uohae
16 Berlina ferruginea Ogangan
17 Canarium schweinfurthic Bush candle tree
18 Ceiba pentandra Silk cotton tree
19 Chrysophyllum Africana African star apple
20 Chromolaene odoratum Awolowo leaf
21 Cheistophitis patens White obeche
22 Combretodendron Africana Owene
23 Cylicodiscus gabunesis Okan
24 Carapa procera Crab wood
25 Chloris gayana Igiene gboto
26 Detarium senegalense Yellow tree
27 Diospyrous crassifolia Black wood

16 | P a g e
28 Diospyrous actropurprea Black wood
29 Diospyrous insculpta Benin ebony
30 Diospyrous prachensils Wild yam
31 Enanthia chlorantha African yellow wood
32 Ethandrophragma cylndricum Sapele wood
33 Ethandrophragma angolense Africana wood
34 Elais guineensis Oil palm
35 Garcinia kola Bitter kola
36 Guarea cedrata Pink mahogany
37 Irvingia smithii Monkey kola
38 Irvingia gabonensis Bush mango
39 Lovoa trichiliodes Walnut
40 Meliacia excels African teak
41 Khaya ivorensis Lagos wood
42 Kigelia Africana Osuo-obon
43 Lophira alata Iron wood
44 Mitragyna ciliate Abura
45 Musanga cercoides Cook wood
46 Mangifera indica Mango
47 Memecylon spanthandra Aphrodisiac
48 Napoleona imperialis Chewing stick
49 Piper guineensis Black pepper
50 Pantadethra macrophylla Oil bean tree
51 Pycanthus anagolensis White cedar
52 Raphia vernifera Upwine tree
53 Sterculia oblonga White sterculia
54 Spondias mobin Hugplum
55 Stombosia pustulata Ubelu
56 Tectonia grandis Teak
57 Terminalia ivorensis Black afara
58 Triplochiton seleronyion Obeche
59 Treculia Africana Africana forest drum
60 Berlinia auriculata Ekpoghoe eze

17 | P a g e
FIELD ACTIVITIES
Having arrived the park on Monday 11th January, 2016, our field activities started from the
second day of the trip which was Tuesday 12th January, 2016, we also had activities on
Wednesday 13th January while Thursday 14th was our departure day.
It should however be noted that on the day of our arrival, we were shown the Park Museum at
the administrative complex and here are some of the materials in the museum:
Plate 1: Buffalo skulls at the museum Plate 2: Gun seized from poachers
Plate 3: instrument seized from poachers Plate 4: Elephant skulls at the museum

18 | P a g e
The Arakhuan Camp
After we left the administrative complex, we then proceeded to the Arakhuan camp where we
were accommodated. The camp has chalets and student hostels provided through public private
partnership with private investors such as A.P.Leventis. The chalet goes for 3500 per night while
the student hostel goes for 200 per night. They also have a restaurant and a mini conference
room. Other facilities include portable pipe borne water, electricity which is sourced from a
generator and is being put on 3hour daily.each student went for the type of accommodation
suitable for them and we moved to our various rooms.
The Arakhuan camp is named after the popular Arakhuan stream which was also adpoted by the
first settlers of the community in which the park is situated. Certain history and mystery behind
the stream and the its name ‘Arakhuan’ shall be further unveiled in this report.
Meanwhile, the activities we engaged in at the park were divided into two session; the morning
session and the afternoon session. The morning session was for sightseeing while the afternoon
session was for lectures and sometimes sight-seeing.
Dinner was later served at night and we went to sleep. Six students and the pilot slept at the male
wing of the visitors hostels while the same number slept at the female wing; the other students
tok the chalets.
A picture of the chalet is shown below.
Plate 5: the front view of the chalet at Arakhuan Camp

19 | P a g e
DAY 2 – Tuesday 12th January 2016
Our hostels are located in compartment 52 (C52) of the park. We were divided into two-team
groups, led by Mr kelechi Igwe and Mr Sulaimon respectively We went for sightseeing by
6.30am and we saw some animals, animal dungs, animal footprints and some plants and trees.
We even heard sounds and calls of some animals also. They include
The sound of hornbill which is one of the species of canopy birds
Monkey activities, they made some lines on the floor
Crested giunea fowls were seen
Civet cat footprints and droppings
Breat blue turacle sound (call)
Dominant male of Cercopethecus mona was heard alerting the monkeys of danger. The monkeys
engage in combined feeding, they move on the canopy trees in troops and they engage each other
in division of labour. On our way into the extreme areas of the park, we also saw:
- Snake foot print
- Forest swallow (birds)
- Common bulbu (birds) Phycus barbardos
- Tambourine dove (toccus)
- Cusimoce mongullse
- Fire crested alethe
- Trees and plants seen include:
- Muzanga cercopedia (umbrella tree)
- Terminilia superba (white afara),
- Dasptzia supericarpa- elephant okro, elephants suck it and feed on its content. It can cure
convulsion and it is used as yellow dye for clothes. It contains chlorophyl, when sun
shines on it, it turns yellow.
- Afromomum latifolium- green seeded fruit. It is used as spice for pepper soup,
- Thaumoticocus Daniella- it is used as rice and moinmoin leaf,
- Cedar aputa- it is used to mix concussion for gun medicine and also helps to increase
sperm count,
- Myriatus aboreel- bush pineapple- the seed is edible and it draws, monkeys and squirrels
feed on it
- Lophria alata- iron wood- it is a first class timber used for the back of agbegilodo.
- Chromanela arduratum- akintola or awolowo leaf, it is used to stop bleeding.
- Ficus exaspirata- sandpaper leaf
- Bucholza coriacea- kola pimento or musk tree.

20 | P a g e
Some images of the activities of animals and view of floras were taken, they are shown below;
Plate 6: showing Muzanga cercopedia (Umbrella Tree)
Plate 7: showing the Civet Cat droppings
We retired to our rooms around 10.30am and had some refreshment after which we had a lecture
on an overview of national park service by Mr. Sulaimon.

21 | P a g e
After the lecture, we had a recess and later came back to the restaurant for our lunch. After
lunch, we visited the Arakhuan stream and the hanging bridge at compartment 55.
The Arakhuan Stream
The Arakhuan stream is situated in compartment 55 of Okomu National Park. The history behind
Arakhuan stream has that the river was formed as a result of a barren woman who left home
frustrated and came to that part and turned to the river the name of the woman is Arakhuan from
which the name given to the river was gotten. A menstruating woman cannot move near the river
as it may cause it to dry up and also the river does not like the cry of a baby. Also, no one can go
to the source of the river, once a person goes to the source, the river would dry up. People come
from Ogolo village in Ovia south to appease to the god of the stream at some times in the year.
People come to the stream to ask for children and for other spiritual purposes. Fishing in the
stream is not allowed. Due to the passage of time and other anthropogenic activities, the stream
has shrinked from its original size which used to be bigger than what we saw.
Plate 8: showing the Arakhuan Stream

22 | P a g e
The Hanging Bridge
We went to Lake 61 where the hanging bridge is located, the hanging bridge or sometimes called
suspended bridge was constructed in 2012 with a length of 20 meters in dimension, width of 2
meters and height of 19.5 meters. The bridge was constructed so that visitors and tourists would
be able to learn how to overcome life obstacles by passing through the bridge. The bridge is one
of the most fascination attractions in the park and it serves as source of revenue to the park as a
certain amount is being paid before passing through the bridge, it also serves as tourist attraction.
It is not easy to cross the bridge except if one is taught because it will be swinging.
After these activities, we went back to the reception and we had a group discussion, after which
we had our dinner, played some games such as ludo, ayo and some people were gisting before
we eventually went to our various rooms to sleep. Some people engaged in the use of some of
their amusement facilities e.g. swing and adventures.
Some Flora resources sighted around the compartment are:
Plate 9: showing Iron Wood Plate 10: Elephant Okro Tree

23 | P a g e
DAY 3- Wednesday 13th January 2016
We started our activities of the with a sight-seeing from the park main gate through
compartments 53 and 54 where we were shown various types of trees, their medicinal value,
aesthetic value and other uses. We were also shown the droppings and footpaths of some animals
like elephant which revealed that they had passed before we got there. We went to Lake 52
where the tree house is located, we left for the place by 7am. Although, on our way to see the
lake and the tree house, we saw some elephant activities and also saw some trees and plants.
They include:
- Cactus afa- it cures stomach upset
- Khaya ivorensis- Lagos wood, the bark of the tree is used to cure pile (jedijedi)
- Ficus muncosa- ficus tree or sandpaper tree
- Strangler plant
- Moratus abora- bush pineapple with Shallow root system
- Ceiba pathendra - white afara with buttress root system
- Lovoa trichiliodes- walnut tree, first class timber used for furniture and roofing of houses
- Piptodenastrium africanum- elephants eat the bark and also uses it to clear the throat
- Discorea prehensis- wild yam, elephants and 9red river hog feeds on it.
- Fagara xanthopedic- for romantism
- Astona bonnei- pattern wood for menstrual pain and malaria
- Piper guinesis- black pepper or oziza, it is a climber and used as spice, its seed is used
foe kilishi,
Pictures of some of them are shown below:
Plate 11: Khaya ivorensis- Lagos Wood Plate 12: Discorea prehensis- Wild Yam

24 | P a g e
Plate 13: showing Piper guinesis- black pepper or oziza
Plate 14: showing the entrance of the park’s nature trail

25 | P a g e
Plate 15: showing Elephant activities Plate 16: showing thick Mahogany Tree
Plate 17: Ancolamu ancotamiasis (Cane tree) Plate 18: Enanthia chlorantha (African yellow tree)

26 | P a g e
The Tree House
The park has two tree houses, one 140 feet high in a silk-cotton tree, from which visitors can
view the park from above and observe bird life. The tree house we visited is located in
compartment with a lake 52. It was constructed in 1988 by A.P.Leventis and by then the park
was not yet established. In 1999 when the park was established, the tree house was handed over
to the National Park. The tree is mounted on a tree called Ceiba patendra (silk cotton tree) the
tree was used because it is the closest and tallest tree in that location and it has a good buttress.
The tree house is 140 ft with -2+72 steps; the top of the tree can contain 10 young people at a
time. The tree house was constructed for tourist attraction, source of revenue and for panoramic
view of the park.
Plate 19: showing the Tree House
The lake 52 is the home of short snouted crocodiles, located beside the tree house in
compartment 52. Animals come to the lake to wallow and drink water.

27 | P a g e
CAMP LECTURES
Park Planning and Administration
IUCN Criteria with regards to the establishment of a national park
IUCN had defined a national park as a relatively large area of land or sea where
a) One or several ecosystem are not materially altered by human exploitation and occupation
where plant and animal species, geographical sites and habitat are of a special scientific,
educative and recreational interest or which contains a natural landscape of great beauty.
b) The highest competent authority of the country (federal government) has taken steps to revent
or to eliminate as soon as possible, exploitation or occupation in the whole area and to enforce
effectively the respect of ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic features which has led to his
establishment.
c) Visitors are allowed to enter under special condition for inspirational, educational and
recreational purposes. From the definition, there are 4 key elements
 relatively large area of land or sea- according to the IUCN, the area of the park is
supposed to be minimum of 1000 hectres of land-
 the area should contain significantly good quality resources which warrant the
establishment of a park
 the area must have a legal status and machinery
 the area should ensure opportunity for present and future generations to benefit from its
recreational values.
The Criteria for Area/Site Selection
1) Diversity: it depicts the number of species and individuals in that area and that the area
can support. It is the ratio between number of species and number of individuals
2) Naturalness of the area: in principle, it is unmodified by human influence. This criteria
is not easy to meet.
3) Rarity: in general, the presence of even one rare or endangered species makes the area of
higher value than any area with no rarity.
4) Uniqueness: it has to be unique i.e. one of its kind. It contains natural or cultural features
that are outstanding or of national or international scale of which the need for
preservation and conservation is beyond dispute.
5) Fragility: fragile habitat species and communities have the higher sensitivity to
environmental changes.
6) Typicality: it must be a typical representation of the zone.
7) Historical record: an area that has been studied and monitored for a long period is
greater in value than a comparable unmonitored area and this value will be reduced if
study does not continue.

28 | P a g e
8) Potential value: no matter the havoc that has been done, it has the potential to regenerate.
9) Intrinsic appeal: things done in the national park that can attract people to the area. e.g.
tree house, hanging bridge and so on.
Planning
1) Feasibility study- a feasibility study seeks to analyze areas of possible conflict and identifies
the nature of possible constraints to the establishment of the national park such as resources
conflict, forestry, agriculture, logging, and traditional hunting rights.
 presence of public road or projected public road
 traditional tribal rights e.g. rituals at Arakhuan river
 existing land uses
 short and long term threats to environmental integrity. Dams, canals, agriculture and
industrial development, air and water pollution etc.
2) Preliminary and ecological survey- the purpose is to provide basic information on the past
ecology so that the need for more detailed survey and inventories can be identified. The principal
tool is the base map which can be produced. 1:50,000
Topological map
Additional information can be obtained from the study of satellite images.
Data should be collected in the following areas:
Flora (biotic factors)
a) Rough assessment of different vegetation type
b) Visual estimate of dominant specie
c) Characteristic of floristic composition
d) Visual assessment of structure and stratification
e) Visual assessment of condition and trend e.g. logging damage.
Fauna (biotic factor)
a) Abundance and distribution of major species
b) Visual assessment of conditions of wildlife
c) Breeding activities, breeding ground, breeding season

29 | P a g e
d) Herd composition
e) Daily movement
f) Activity patterns
g) Roasting and resting moment
h) Habitat preferences
Soil and water (abiotic factors)
a) Soil type
b) Texture, structure and litter composition
c) Evidence of erosion and soil depth and drainage
d) Presence of permanent and seasonal watering point
e) Natural salt lake
Human activities
a) Logging, farming and settlement, etc.
Other features of interest
a) Cultural, historical, geological and archaeological
After the lecture, we had our lunch after which we had a group discussion, where questions were
asked and answers provided.
Later in the evening, we had a campfire night where we killed 2 small goats and made pepper
soup and asun and bought some palm wine which we drank along while eating the asun and
pepper soup, music was being paled alongside and we had various comedy dancers amongst we
students.
Administration of National Parks
 Conservator General: Head of National Park (Headquarter)
 Conservator of Park: head of individual parks
 Head of Department-: national headquarter
 Head of unit: individual parks
 Human Resource management
 Planning research management

30 | P a g e
Eco-touristic Activities in Okomu National Park
The following activities are side attractions at Okomu National Park:
 Outdoor camping
 Park viewing
 Stream bathing/swimming
 Swimming pool
 Lake cruising
 Sport fishing
 Canoe and boating
 Birds watching
 Game Viewing
 Picnicking and children playing ground
Challenges facing Okomu National Park
The following are the notable challenges facing Okomu National Park:
a. Lack of a buffer zone and a clear defined boundary between the national park and the
community support zones. As a result of this, poaching of wildlife from the protected
area is intensified as some of the animals would wander into other people’s farmlands
and the oil palm plantation that is close to the park.
b. Lack of maintenance culture of the hostels and chalets such as worn out taps, doorknobs,
stairs among others
c. Lack of road signs and roadmaps that directs tourists within the park. Also, the trees are
not labeled and interpreted.
d. The park is threatened by large-scale illegal logging, the expansion of large rubber and
oil-palm plantations nearby, and incursions by a growing human population involved in
farming and hunting.
e. Inadequate fund for the maintenance of the suspended bridge.
f. Lack of expertise in catering for the welfare of the tourists.
g. Inadequate research facilities
Other challenges are lack of communication network; infrastructural needs such as roads and
power supply and non-functional recreational facilities.

31 | P a g e
Management Programmes at Okomu National Park
Some of the strategies that guide Okomu National Park functional management programmes are:
 Provision of amenities to support zone communities
 Marketing and promotion through online and print media
 Employment of local people
 Conservation education programmes; and
 Anti-poaching patrol
Conclusion
Tourism is life. Okomu National Park remains an interesting place to visit, with professional tour
guides, rangers and security personnel on ground to ensure that tourists and visitors go back with
a tremendously remarkable experience. However, the available manpower is inadequate and this
is the main problem inherent in the management of the park. In furtherance, lack of adequate
equipment like fire arms, patrol vehicles; as well as staff welfare packages are the bane of
development of Okomu National Park.
The field trip to Okomu national park highlighted the practical view of the theoretical taught
aspect of biodiversity, park design management and ecotourism in a protected area. The various
processes and guidelines in park design and administration were explored. As seen in this report,
there are bases and benchmarks that ought to be met before setting up a national park. The trip to
Okomu national park reveals some of those principles. The species of focal point at Okomu
national park is the White-throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythogaster). This monkey is
endemic to Okomu national park and it is only at this park that the white-throated monkey can be
found in its natural habitat.
National parks aim at protecting the environment through conservation of the natural resources
in the protected area. Over exploitation of natural resources is drastically reduced or eliminated
through the establishment of national parks in Nigeria.
National parks provide educational, economic, religious, and socio-cultural benefits to the
government, communities, and indigenous people. Also extreme poverty in the rural areas could
also be reduced by employing local people as staff in the park, integrating development and
empowerment programs into the community support zones, and also giving them compensation
for loss of farmlands and settlements.
Hence, as observed during the field trip, a National Park should accommodate rare species,
unique ecosystem and diversity of wildlife that would attract tourist visits and funds for
conservation. To therefore achieve continuous and guaranteed environmental protection,
sustainability is the key. Sustainable conservation aids effective utilization of the natural

32 | P a g e
resources which consequently ensures both present and future generation experience socio-
cultural welfare and economic stability.
Recommendations
Sequels to the excerpt of this report, the following recommendations are highly imperative:
1. The park should continue to provide employment opportunities for the local inhabitants
of the community so as to reduce poaching as and other anthropogenic activities and to
also contribute to their socio-economic development.
2. The government should engage more in community sensitization in order for the local
people to understand the value of eco-tourism so that they can take the responsibility of
being the primary custodian of our ecotourism resources.
3. Poor maintenance culture is an endemic situation in Nigeria; Okomu National Park is not
an exemption. Thus, maintenance culture should be imbibed into the management
practices of the park; the dilapidated facilities should be revitalised.
4. Conservation should be practiced with re-introduction of certain species that are
becoming vulnerable or threatened in the park. This will go a long way to ensuring that
the park meets its objective of being established.
5. Government should encourage civil servants’ participation in ecotourism activities so as
to create more awareness about what nature has to offer and also to gain the citizenries
appreciation of our nation’s tourism potentials.
6. More public awareness should be carried out through organizing of national campaign
and mobilization for wildlife resources through viable media resources inorder to secure
the cooperaton and patronage in the area of ecotourism.
7. Professionals in hospitality industries should be employed so as to take care of tourist’s
welfare in terms of feeding and accommodation in the park.
8. Communication and telecommunication network service provider should partner with the
park management to strong communication network signal in the park area to make the
place more comfortable for longer term visit.
9. More directional sign and signage should be erected at strategic places in the park.
10. Continuous research in the areas of conservation, training and re-traning of the park staff
and some key management and administrative staff in order for them to keep updated
with new development in the field park management and biodiversity conservation.
11. Government should provide adequate funding and better monitoring startegy for Okomu
National Park and other parks in the country
12. The park should see to the establishment of library for journals, monographs,
photographs, and ecotourism literatures to aid better educational and knowledege
dispensation.

33 | P a g e
References
Graham-Douglas A. T (2008) The Preservation of Land, Culture and Wildlife: A Key Note
Address, in: Aremu (ed) Preservation of Land, Culture and Wildlife. Spectrum Books Limited,
Ibadan.
Lameed G. A (2010) The Prospect Of Sustainable Ecotourism in Developing Countries:
FORUM ORGANISED BY: Sustainable & Thriving Environments for West African Regional
Development (STEWARD), Sierra Leone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Nigeria
http://nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Biodiversity.aspx
Rebecca Kormos (2003). West African chimpanzees: status survey and conservation action plan.
IUCN. p. 127. ISBN 2-8317-0733-1.
Tony Erha (10 October 2010). "Okomu national wildlife park regains fresh life". Next. Retrieved
4 November 2010.
World Wildlife Fund (15 February 2007). "Nigerian lowland forests". Encyclopedia of Earth.
Retrieved 5 November 2010.
Plate 20: Prof. G. A Lameed in group picture with the students and some Park staff

34 | P a g e
Appendix
Figure
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria showing the location of Okomu National Park 2
Figure 2: Objective of the field trip 7
Figure 3: Ecotourism and it nature 9
Table
Table 1: National Park in Nigeria and their attributes 11
Table 2: Checklist of some fauna resource in Okomu National Park 12
Table 3: Checklist of some Bulls in Okomu National Park 14
Table 4: Checklist of Reptile and Amphibians in Okomu National Park 15
Table 5: Checklist of some resources in Okomu National Park 15
Plate
Plate 1: Buffalo skulls at the museum 17
Plate 2: Gun seized from poachers 17
Plate 3: Instrument seized from poachers 17
Plate 4: Elephant skulls at the museum 17
Plate 5: The front view of the chalet at Arukhan camp 18
Plate 6: Muzanga cercopedia {umbrella tree} 20
Plate 7: Civet Cat droppings 20
Plate 8: The Arakhuan stream 21
Plate 9: Iron wood 22
Plate 10: Elephant Okro Tree 22
Plate 11: Khaya ivorensis - Lagos Wood 23
Plate 12: Discorea prehensis - Wild Yam 23
Plate 13: Piper guinesis- Black Pepper or Oziza 24
Plate 14: The entrance of the park’s nature trail 24
Plate 15: Elephant activities 25
Plate 16: Thick Mahogany Tree 25
Plate 17: Ancolamu ancotamiasis - Cane Tree 25
Plate 18: Enanthia chlorantha - African Yellow Tree 25
Plate 19: The Tree House 26
Plate 20: Prof. G. A Lameed in group picture with the students and some Park staff 33

Report Body - Sola

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Semelhante a Report Body - Sola

Semelhante a Report Body - Sola (20)

Report Body - Sola