Perceptions of major stakeholder on pangolin (<i>Phataginus spp</i>) ecology, marketing and utilization in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the perception of major stakeholders on the ecology and exploitation, marketing and utilization of pangolin in southwest  Nigeria. Qualitative sampling method was employed to elicit information from the respondents. This involved the use of informal interviews with unprepared interview guide. The interest groups such as hunters, wildlife vendors (marketers) and traditional medical practitioners were interviewed. In this study, 34 hunters, 76 marketers and 19 traditional medical practitioners were interviewed. Majority (91.18%) of the hunter agreed that bush burning and deforestation are the major cause of vulnerability of pangolin. All marketers agreed that sudden and high demand of pangolin contribute to its scarcity. All traditional medical practitioners believed that disobedient of pangolin is the cause of its vulnerability. However, conservation program should primarily focus on these major stakeholders to forestall extinction of pangolin in Nigeria. There should be advocacy and capacity building program to discourage them from hunting pangolins.

Keywords: Hunters, marketers, pangopup, scales, termites, ants, nocturnal