Wildlife status and ecotourism potentials of Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v2i4.748
Published: Jan 7, 2022

Abstract:

Purpose: Information about the status of wildlife in Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) which is required for biodiversity policy-making is lacking.

Methods: Day foot patrol to monitor wildlife in LCC was carried out and the wildlife species present were identified from January to December 2020. Data of animals sighted in the patrol and by the tourists were compared with records of animals sighted from March to July 2010 as recorded in the Protection Report Diary.

Results: The findings indicated a decline in the population of squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus).

Limitation: A list of fauna in LCC forest is provided as a result of the foot patrol although, some parts of the forest were inaccessible.

Contribution: The perception of ecotourists is highlighted which can serve as feedback about their experience with the resources useful for biodiversity policy.

Conclusion: Species diversity in the Protection Report Diary (in 2010) was higher compared to the total number of wildlife species sighted by visitors (in 2021) and during the patrol (in 2020) indicating that some wildlife species in LCC declined within 10years.

Keywords:
1. Biodiversity
2. Ecotourism
3. Endangered
4. Forest
5. Monitoring
6. Record
7. Satisfaction
Authors:
Ojonugwa Ekpah
Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Km 19, Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos, Nigeria
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How to Cite
Ekpah, O. (2022). Wildlife status and ecotourism potentials of Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 2(4), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v2i4.748
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Vol. 2 No. 4 (2021): June
Articles
References

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    Ajalla, J. N. U. (2010). Ecotourism as a Conservation Strategy for a Protected Area and Sustainable Community Development in Nigerian National Park. International Journal of Communication, 12:341-361

    Akinpelu, A. I. & Areo, A. (2007). The Snakes of Osun Grove: a World Heritage Site in Osogbo, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Biology, 55 (2):717-721.

    Anup, K. C. (2016). Ecotourism and Its Role in Sustainable Development of Nepal, Tourism - From Empirical Research Towards Practical Application, Leszek Butowski, IntechOpen, https://www.intechopen.com/books/tourism-from-empirical-research-towards-practical-application/ecotourism-and-its-role-in-sustainable-development-of-nepal

    Arowosafe, F. C., Tunde-Ajayi, O. A. & Ojo, B. D. (2020). Examining Motivation and Perception of Visitors at Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) in Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 16(29): 1857-7881.

    Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2014). Birds of Western Africa. 2ed. Princeton University Press.

    Branch, W, R, & Hacke, W, D. (1980). A fatal attack on a young boy by an African rock python Python sebae. Journal of Herpetology, 14 (3): 305–307. doi:10.2307/1563557.

    Cardiff, S. G., Ratrimomanarivo, F. H. and Goodman, S. M. (2012).The effect of tourist visits on the behavior of Rousettus madagascariensis (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the caves of Ankarana, northern Madagascar. Acta Chiropterologica14:479-490.

    Chigozie, N. E. and Esther, A. E. (2021). Tourists’ Perception of Ecotourism Development in Lagos Nigeria: The Case of Lekki Conservation Centre. TURIZAM, 25(1):11–30

    Dieuwho, (2013). Butterflies at Lekki Conservation Centre (Checklist in Personal communication)

    Ejidike B. N. & Ajayi S. R. (2013). Trends in wildlife conservation practices in Nigeria. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 5(4):185-191.

    Ekpah, O., Adu, B. W. & Kemabonta, A. K. (2020). An inventory of Odonata in relation to water quality in Lekki Conservation Centre, Nigeria. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, 33(4): 367-382.

    Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria. Boosting Tourism in Nigeria. Daily Sun Newspapers (Lagos, Nigeria). 21 March 2011P11 https://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Ecotourism-Potential-of-Ebonyi-State-Nigeria.pdf

    Fougelrol, L. (2008). Crocodiles. France.

    Harrison, E. A. (2019). Tree species of Lekki Conservation Center, Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Bioscience, 15:308-314.

    Honey, M. (1999). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development. Who Own Paradise? Island Press, Washington D.C., USA.

    Howat, G. & Crilley, G. (2007). Customer service quality, satisfaction, and operational performance: A proposed model for Australian public aquatic centres. Annals of Leisure Research, 10(2):168-195.

    Ijeomah, H. M. (2019): Relevance of Wildlife Resources and Ecotourism as Instruments for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (Lead paper), pp.144 – 166 In: Adekunle,V.A.J. and Akinwole, A.O.(eds.) Sustainable Development Goals through Appropriate Forest Management – Keynote and Sub-themes. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria held in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory 07 – 11 October, 2019At: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

    Ijeomah, H. M., Abubarkar, S. I., Ezeano, C. I. & Adetola, B. O. (2019). Assessment of Tourist Attraction and Satisfaction in Selected Eco-destinations in Lagos State, Nigeria. African Journal of Agriculture, Technology and Environment, 8(1):85-104.

    Ijeomah, H. M. & Duke, E. K. (2016). Prospects and Sustainability of Ecotourism in Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, 8(4): 39-52.

    Ijeomah, H. M. & Eniang, E. A. (2018). Ecotourism and National Development in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges. Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; University of Uyo (1 - 12pp).

    Ijeomah, H. M., Nwanegbo, O. C. & Umokoro, O. (2015). Assessment of Tourist Attractions in Okomu national park and Oguta Lake ecodestinations of Nigeria. Production Agriculture and Technology, 11 (2), 219-239.

    Imarhiagbe, O., Egboduku, W. O. & Nwankwo, B. J. (2020). A review of the biodiversity conservation status of Nigeria. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 4 (1): 73-83.

    Jilo, K. (2018). The effect of ecotourism on the distribution of wild animals and their abundance in Abijatta Shala Lakes National Park Master's Thesis. https://www.grin.com/document/426846

    Kingdom, J. (1997). The Kingdom Field Guide to African Mammals. A & C Black Publishers Limited.

    Kipkosgei, B. (2020). Sustainable Tourism and Economic Growth Nexus in Kenya: Policy Implications for Post-Covid-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2): 123-138, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.209.

    Knight J., (2009). Wildlife Responses to Recreationists. Chapter 4 in Wildlife and Recreationists: Coexistence through Management and Research. Richard L. Knight and Kevin J. Gutzwiller (eds). Island Press. Washington, DC.

    Krishna, M. C., Kumar, A., Tripathi, O. P. & Koprowski, J. L. (2016). Diversity, Distribution and Status of Gliding Squirrels in Protected and Non-protected Areas of the Eastern Himalayas in India. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 27 (2):111–119

    Larsen, T. B. (2005). Butterflies of West Africa. Apollo Books, Svendborg, Denmark. 595 pp + 135 color plates.

    Lindberg, K. (1991). Policies for Maximizing Nature Tourism’s Ecological and Economic Benefits. Washington DC Ecotourism Society.

    Luiselli, L. & Angelici, F. M. (2000). Ecological relationships in the AfroTropical cobra species (Naja melanoleuca and Naja nigricollis). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78(2):191-198.

    McComb, B., Zuckerberg, B., Vesely, D. & Jordan, C. Monitoring Animal Populations and their Habitats: A Practitioner's Guide Download for free at https://open.oregonstate.education/monitoring/ Accessed June, 2021.

    McGuffin, D. 2017. Describe the Main Elements of Ecotourism. Retrieved from https://getawaytips.azcentral.com/describe-the-main-elements-of-ecotourism-12311082.html

    Morrison, M. L., Block, W M., Strickland, D. M., Collier, B. A. & Peterson, M. J. (2008) Inventory and Monitoring Studies. In: Wildlife Study Design. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75528-1_7

    Murray, M. H., Becker, D.J., Hall, R. J., & Hernandez, S. M. (2016). Wildlife health and supplemental feeding: a review and management recommendations. Biological Conservation, 204:163-174

    Nwokorie, E. C. & Adiukwu, I. K. (2020). Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurship: Administrative Barriers in Imo State, Nigeria. International Scientific Journal Turizam, 24(1):13-32.

    Nyirenda, V. R. & Chomba, C. (2012). Field foot patrol effectiveness in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment 4(6):163-172.

    Obiora, J. N. & Nwokorie, E. C. (2019). Enhancing Destination Loyalty through Online Presence in the Tourism Industry in South-East Nigeria. Accounting and Taxation Review, 3(1): 69-81.

    Oladeji, S. O. & Fatukasi, D. (2017). Participatory approach to conservation and management of protected areas in Nigeria: Case study of Osse River Park Project. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 11(9):471-485.

    Olaleru, F. & Omotosho, O. O. (2020). Human-monkey conflict in and around Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment 12(4):54-64.

    Ranasinghe, R., Kumudulali, U. & Ranaweera, A. K. (2020). The Role of Park Attributes in Visitor Satisfaction: Evidence From Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2):87-104, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.218.

    Reimer J.K. & Walter, P. (2013). How do you know it when you see it? Community based ecotourism in the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia. Tourism Management, 34 (2013), pp. 122-132.

    Tanalgo, K. C. & Hughes, A. C. (2021). The potential of bat-watching tourism in raising public awareness towards bat conservation in the Philippines. Environmental Challenges, 4, 100140.

    The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). (2015). Ecotourism. The International Ecotourism Society. www.ecotourism.org.

    Tiimub, B. M., Gbolo, B., Tiimob, R. W., Tiimob, E. L., Kumedzro, V. & Tiimob, E. (2020). Impact of Community Participation in Adaptive Wildlife Resources Management at Mole National Park, Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2): 139-149. doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.245.

    Ukabuilu, E. N., Nwokorie, E. C. & Ezeibe, N. (2018). Empirical investigation of Problems of Inbound Tourism in South-Eastern Nigeria: Catalyst for Regional Development. HAT-MAN Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 8(1):29-35.

    Wiafe, E. D. & Amoah, M. (2012). The Use of Field Patrol in Monitoring of Forest Primates and Illegal Hunting Activities in Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana. African Primates, 7 (2): 238-246.

    Wolf, I. D. & Croft, D. B. (2010). Minimizing disturbance to wildlife by tourists approaching on foot or in a car: a study of kangaroos in the Australian rangelands. Applied Animal Science, 126:75-84.

    Yeboah, T., Afram, C. S., Quampah, B. & Kulega, A. (2020). Adaptation to Risks Related to Ecotourism: Development at Boabeng in the Bono East Region, Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2):105-121, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.168.

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  2. Ajalla, J. N. U. (2010). Ecotourism as a Conservation Strategy for a Protected Area and Sustainable Community Development in Nigerian National Park. International Journal of Communication, 12:341-361
  3. Akinpelu, A. I. & Areo, A. (2007). The Snakes of Osun Grove: a World Heritage Site in Osogbo, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Biology, 55 (2):717-721.
  4. Anup, K. C. (2016). Ecotourism and Its Role in Sustainable Development of Nepal, Tourism - From Empirical Research Towards Practical Application, Leszek Butowski, IntechOpen, https://www.intechopen.com/books/tourism-from-empirical-research-towards-practical-application/ecotourism-and-its-role-in-sustainable-development-of-nepal
  5. Arowosafe, F. C., Tunde-Ajayi, O. A. & Ojo, B. D. (2020). Examining Motivation and Perception of Visitors at Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) in Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 16(29): 1857-7881.
  6. Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2014). Birds of Western Africa. 2ed. Princeton University Press.
  7. Branch, W, R, & Hacke, W, D. (1980). A fatal attack on a young boy by an African rock python Python sebae. Journal of Herpetology, 14 (3): 305–307. doi:10.2307/1563557.
  8. Cardiff, S. G., Ratrimomanarivo, F. H. and Goodman, S. M. (2012).The effect of tourist visits on the behavior of Rousettus madagascariensis (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the caves of Ankarana, northern Madagascar. Acta Chiropterologica14:479-490.
  9. Chigozie, N. E. and Esther, A. E. (2021). Tourists’ Perception of Ecotourism Development in Lagos Nigeria: The Case of Lekki Conservation Centre. TURIZAM, 25(1):11–30
  10. Dieuwho, (2013). Butterflies at Lekki Conservation Centre (Checklist in Personal communication)
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  12. Ekpah, O., Adu, B. W. & Kemabonta, A. K. (2020). An inventory of Odonata in relation to water quality in Lekki Conservation Centre, Nigeria. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, 33(4): 367-382.
  13. Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria. Boosting Tourism in Nigeria. Daily Sun Newspapers (Lagos, Nigeria). 21 March 2011P11 https://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Ecotourism-Potential-of-Ebonyi-State-Nigeria.pdf
  14. Fougelrol, L. (2008). Crocodiles. France.
  15. Harrison, E. A. (2019). Tree species of Lekki Conservation Center, Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Bioscience, 15:308-314.
  16. Honey, M. (1999). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development. Who Own Paradise? Island Press, Washington D.C., USA.
  17. Howat, G. & Crilley, G. (2007). Customer service quality, satisfaction, and operational performance: A proposed model for Australian public aquatic centres. Annals of Leisure Research, 10(2):168-195.
  18. Ijeomah, H. M. (2019): Relevance of Wildlife Resources and Ecotourism as Instruments for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (Lead paper), pp.144 – 166 In: Adekunle,V.A.J. and Akinwole, A.O.(eds.) Sustainable Development Goals through Appropriate Forest Management – Keynote and Sub-themes. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria held in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory 07 – 11 October, 2019At: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria
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  20. Ijeomah, H. M. & Duke, E. K. (2016). Prospects and Sustainability of Ecotourism in Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, 8(4): 39-52.
  21. Ijeomah, H. M. & Eniang, E. A. (2018). Ecotourism and National Development in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges. Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; University of Uyo (1 - 12pp).
  22. Ijeomah, H. M., Nwanegbo, O. C. & Umokoro, O. (2015). Assessment of Tourist Attractions in Okomu national park and Oguta Lake ecodestinations of Nigeria. Production Agriculture and Technology, 11 (2), 219-239.
  23. Imarhiagbe, O., Egboduku, W. O. & Nwankwo, B. J. (2020). A review of the biodiversity conservation status of Nigeria. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 4 (1): 73-83.
  24. Jilo, K. (2018). The effect of ecotourism on the distribution of wild animals and their abundance in Abijatta Shala Lakes National Park Master's Thesis. https://www.grin.com/document/426846
  25. Kingdom, J. (1997). The Kingdom Field Guide to African Mammals. A & C Black Publishers Limited.
  26. Kipkosgei, B. (2020). Sustainable Tourism and Economic Growth Nexus in Kenya: Policy Implications for Post-Covid-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2): 123-138, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.209.
  27. Knight J., (2009). Wildlife Responses to Recreationists. Chapter 4 in Wildlife and Recreationists: Coexistence through Management and Research. Richard L. Knight and Kevin J. Gutzwiller (eds). Island Press. Washington, DC.
  28. Krishna, M. C., Kumar, A., Tripathi, O. P. & Koprowski, J. L. (2016). Diversity, Distribution and Status of Gliding Squirrels in Protected and Non-protected Areas of the Eastern Himalayas in India. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 27 (2):111–119
  29. Larsen, T. B. (2005). Butterflies of West Africa. Apollo Books, Svendborg, Denmark. 595 pp + 135 color plates.
  30. Lindberg, K. (1991). Policies for Maximizing Nature Tourism’s Ecological and Economic Benefits. Washington DC Ecotourism Society.
  31. Luiselli, L. & Angelici, F. M. (2000). Ecological relationships in the AfroTropical cobra species (Naja melanoleuca and Naja nigricollis). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78(2):191-198.
  32. McComb, B., Zuckerberg, B., Vesely, D. & Jordan, C. Monitoring Animal Populations and their Habitats: A Practitioner's Guide Download for free at https://open.oregonstate.education/monitoring/ Accessed June, 2021.
  33. McGuffin, D. 2017. Describe the Main Elements of Ecotourism. Retrieved from https://getawaytips.azcentral.com/describe-the-main-elements-of-ecotourism-12311082.html
  34. Morrison, M. L., Block, W M., Strickland, D. M., Collier, B. A. & Peterson, M. J. (2008) Inventory and Monitoring Studies. In: Wildlife Study Design. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75528-1_7
  35. Murray, M. H., Becker, D.J., Hall, R. J., & Hernandez, S. M. (2016). Wildlife health and supplemental feeding: a review and management recommendations. Biological Conservation, 204:163-174
  36. Nwokorie, E. C. & Adiukwu, I. K. (2020). Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurship: Administrative Barriers in Imo State, Nigeria. International Scientific Journal Turizam, 24(1):13-32.
  37. Nyirenda, V. R. & Chomba, C. (2012). Field foot patrol effectiveness in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment 4(6):163-172.
  38. Obiora, J. N. & Nwokorie, E. C. (2019). Enhancing Destination Loyalty through Online Presence in the Tourism Industry in South-East Nigeria. Accounting and Taxation Review, 3(1): 69-81.
  39. Oladeji, S. O. & Fatukasi, D. (2017). Participatory approach to conservation and management of protected areas in Nigeria: Case study of Osse River Park Project. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 11(9):471-485.
  40. Olaleru, F. & Omotosho, O. O. (2020). Human-monkey conflict in and around Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment 12(4):54-64.
  41. Ranasinghe, R., Kumudulali, U. & Ranaweera, A. K. (2020). The Role of Park Attributes in Visitor Satisfaction: Evidence From Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2):87-104, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.218.
  42. Reimer J.K. & Walter, P. (2013). How do you know it when you see it? Community based ecotourism in the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia. Tourism Management, 34 (2013), pp. 122-132.
  43. Tanalgo, K. C. & Hughes, A. C. (2021). The potential of bat-watching tourism in raising public awareness towards bat conservation in the Philippines. Environmental Challenges, 4, 100140.
  44. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). (2015). Ecotourism. The International Ecotourism Society. www.ecotourism.org.
  45. Tiimub, B. M., Gbolo, B., Tiimob, R. W., Tiimob, E. L., Kumedzro, V. & Tiimob, E. (2020). Impact of Community Participation in Adaptive Wildlife Resources Management at Mole National Park, Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2): 139-149. doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.245.
  46. Ukabuilu, E. N., Nwokorie, E. C. & Ezeibe, N. (2018). Empirical investigation of Problems of Inbound Tourism in South-Eastern Nigeria: Catalyst for Regional Development. HAT-MAN Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 8(1):29-35.
  47. Wiafe, E. D. & Amoah, M. (2012). The Use of Field Patrol in Monitoring of Forest Primates and Illegal Hunting Activities in Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana. African Primates, 7 (2): 238-246.
  48. Wolf, I. D. & Croft, D. B. (2010). Minimizing disturbance to wildlife by tourists approaching on foot or in a car: a study of kangaroos in the Australian rangelands. Applied Animal Science, 126:75-84.
  49. Yeboah, T., Afram, C. S., Quampah, B. & Kulega, A. (2020). Adaptation to Risks Related to Ecotourism: Development at Boabeng in the Bono East Region, Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2):105-121, doi:10.35912/joste.v1i2.168.