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Promot- Ing Bird and Habitat Conservation in Nigeria Ornithology and conservation activities in Elizade University: promot- ing bird and habitat conservation in Nigeria Taiwo C. Omotoriogun 1, 2* 1 Biotechnology Unit, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Nigeria 2A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, Nigeria *Corresponding author’s Email: [email protected] Abstract birds (Cresswell, 2017). However, with the emergence of bird-based research institutions Ornithology has a strong impact on the effec- and related fields such as conservation biology, tive conservation of biological diversity; and, ecotourism and wildlife management, attention the protection of birds and their habitats ex- has focused not only to birds but also biodiversi- tend refuge to other species. Although birds ty conservation, translating into the public have been an integral component of the envi- awareness of biodiversity and related environ- ronment, there is limited public understanding mental concerns. of this bird-environmental relationship and the need for its sustainability. An effective way to Birds are of particular interest in this regard; sustain this relationship can be through the en- for example, about 13% (~1469 species) of glob- gagement and integration of the general public al bird species are threatened with extinction in including individual, groups, communities, ac- the categories of Critically Endangered (15%, ademic institutions and government and non- 197 species), Endangered (30%, 389 species) or government institutions, in ornithological ac- Vulnerable (55%, 727 species) according to the tivities. This enhances individual understand- International Union for Conservation of Nature ing of the ecological values of birds, help mit- (IUCN) Red List (Bennett and Owens, 1997; igate non-sustainable human threats to birds, BirdLife International, 2013). Africa and its as- and motivate environmental friendly con- sociated island are also known to habour about sciousness. Field training, building capacity, conservation education and awareness creation 2700 bird species in 111 families, and 1800 spe- in ornithology and related fields are usually cies in currently 20 families are endemic to the fundamental steps in this approach; and scien- region. Of these, 311 bird species are of global tists need to acknowledge the significance of conservation concern excluding those shared this aspect of their research activities. At the with other continents. Within west Africa, Nige- Department of Biological Sciences Elizade ria holds about 1000 bird species in about 81 University, part of our research activities fo- families, and respectfully known for important cused on the conservation and ecology of endemic species such as the Anambra Waxbill birds. The objectives are to assess and monitor Estrilda poliopareia, Ibadan Malimbe Malimbus bird abundance and diversity within the forest ibadanensis, Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua mar- and surrounding habitats; embark on conserva- tion education to create awareness for birds yae and Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguino- and habitats protection and; train individuals dorsalis (but see Brandt and Cresswell, 2008; and students in ornithology and conservation Mills, 2010; Abalaka et al., 2010). The entire research skills. region holds high bird diversity widely distribut- ed in all available habitats such as savannah, for- 1 Introduction ests, aquatic and human habitations (Borrow and Demey, 2014). Also, the area receives intra- Despite the significance of the global avifauna African migrants and is stopover site for most and the long traditional understanding of birds in Palearctic birds wintering in Africa (Moreau, Africa (Johnson, 2005; Muiruri and Maundu 1972; Jones, 1995; Ezealor, 2002). 2010), ornithology i.e. the science and study in- Recent reports showed that anthropogenic cluding the knowledge and awareness of birds activities are strongest drivers of inexorable habi- (Erwin, 1975; Beale 2018) remained unfamiliar tat degradation, destruction and loss (Geist and to the general public. This might be attributed to Lambin, 2002; Pouliot et al., 2012; Haddad et al., limited expertise in the field, and few ornitholog- 2015); consequently, the threats and extinction of ical research or formal literatures on African 1 many species across the plant and animal king- distinct wet (April–October) and dry (Novem- doms (IUCN, 2001; BirdLife International, ber–March) seasons with total annual rainfall of 2012). Broad suits of threats face birds, ranging approximately 1800 mm; mean monthly temper- from agriculture, invasive, logging, persecution ature range of 27–30 °C; and mean monthly rela- and climate change (BirdLife International, tive humidity of less than 70%. The vegetation 2013). Therefore, Ornithologists have strong im- composed trees of economic importance includ- pact in birds and biodiversity conservation, ing Triplochitin scleroxylon, Elaise guineense, through enhancing public understanding of birds Theobroma cocao, Terminalia ivoriensis and and threats including non-sustainable human ac- Mahogany spp. The area is interspersed with tivities challenging their existence (Vansina, hills and rocky outcrops, and with on-going an- 1990). Training personnel and building capacity thropogenic activities including agriculture, log- in ornithology and related fields can have posi- ging, and expanding human settlements. tive effects on conservation outcomes, but scien- tists need to acknowledge this role as fundamen- tal part of their research activities (Strigl, 2003; Cresswell, 2017). Over the past decades ornithological progress has been made in the country through the works of the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), University of Jos (Cresswell, 2017); however, further effort is re- quired to expand bird study in the region and build networks for the protection and public fa- miliarization of birds. Most areas in Nigeria are currently experiencing human-driven changes; therefore, protection of birds and habitats has become paramount at both the national and local levels. But to tackle the low ornithological awareness amongst the general public requires Figure 1 The map of study area (red lines) show- intensive conservation education and building ing the forest, Elizade campus, and four commu- capacity for bird protection. This is achievable nities i.e. Ilara-Mokin, Ikota, Eti and Mariwo, at through training individuals, groups and repre- the periphery sentatives of communities or organizations on bird conservation initiatives. Monitoring and bird surveys were carry out This report, since 2016, part of our ornitho- using line transect (35 line transects, one kilome- logical research activities at the Department of ter each) across the study area. Birds seen and Biological Sciences Elizade University focused heard were identified using a pair of binoculars on the ecology and conservation of birds, with (Savannah Pro 8x42), Telescope (Grandview 16– the specific objectives to assess and monitor bird 48x65mm) and a Helm Field Guide, Birds of abundance and diversity; embarks on conserva- Western Africa (Borrow and Demey, 2014). The tion education to create awareness for birds and surveys were carried out in the mornings (0600– habitats protection and; train individuals and stu- 1000 hours) and evenings (1600–1830 hours) in dents in conservation research skills. the dry and wet seasons. Also, birds were caught using interlocking networks of mist-nets (9 m, 12 2 Methodology and approach m and 18 m) mounted at edges and corridors of the forest in the early morning (0600–1100 The study area (Fig. 1) which comprised the hours). Elizade University campus, forest and part of the Biodiversity education and bird awareness surrounding communities (Ilara-Mokin, Ikota, 2 creation were conducted in communities and Eti, and Mariwo) was estimated to about 15 km secondary schools in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, (1500 hectares) in Ifedore Local Government after prior notification to the Proprietors and Area of Ondo State. The areas is located between school management. Schools were visited on the latitude 07° 20’–07° 23’ N and longitude 05° designated days with biodiversity conservation 60’–05° 90’ E in the Tropical Lowland Rainfor- team from the Elizade University, to deliver sem- est belt of Nigeria, within the Guinean Forests of inars through video illustrations, oral and postal West African Hotspot. The region experiences 2 presentations on the ecology, social values and The survey effort curve (Fig. 2) as expected did threats facing birds and habitats in Nigeria. Pho- not attain asymptote suggesting that more bird tos of common species of bird including the Eng- species were yet to be recorded for the study ar- lish and scientific names were displayed to pu- ea. This is not surprising, some bird species are pils and staff of schools visited. The use of bin- difficult to detect especially when such species oculars and telescopes and bird guide were are nocturnal and shy, and restricted to core part demonstrated to the pupils and staff. Also, the of forest habitat. Also, the method used in sur- bird survey team engaged farmer (individual or vey, weather condition, and identification prob- group) on interpersonal communication during lems may contribute to poor detection and record survey periods. of some bird species. To achieve training individuals and students The abundance of bird species varied across in ornithological skills, the Elizade University sites within the area; Ilara-Mokin
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