Abstract:
This study focused on primate distribution and abundance in yaaiwa and Ipinu-Igede Forest
Reserves in Kwande and Oju local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria, respectively. The
study also assessed the species of tree composition and abundance in addition to types of
anthropogenic activities in these areas.
The research period was from June, 2018 to May, 2019. The methods used were line transect
method to determine their population density and the total enumeration count for plants species
composition and abundance. Structural questionnaire were used to obtain information on
anthropogenic disturbances in the study areas.
Results revealed that population density of the three species of primates sighted in the study
areas were very low, 1.68 individuals /km2 due to high rate of anthropogenic activities such as
farming, hunting and logging in and around these study areas. However, the presence of three
different species of primates such as olive Baboon (Papio Anubis), Patas monkey (Erythrocebus
Patas) and Tantatus monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) were confirmed, through physical
observations and indirect indices such as calls, dungs and foot prints. The plant species and
ecology of the study areas were mainly of primary forest which was seriously modified through
human activities. Clearly, most of the respondents were energetic youths of age between 16 – 35
years, who were mostly said to be unemployed who posed threat to wildlife conservation in
these study areas. However, awareness on the importance of wildlife (Primates) conservation
should be carried out using radio and town criers in the state to reduce the rate of ignorance on
Line Transect Method .
Efforts should be made to adequately protect the study areas, through enactment of laws since
they are still one of the few remaining locations in the state where some valuable tropical and
indigenous tree species could be found |
