Isikhuemen and Aigbobo, 2020 Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment Vol. 12(2) June, 2020 E-mail:
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[email protected] http://www.ajol.info/index.php/jrfwe 190 jfewr ©2020 - jfewr Publications This work is licensed under a ISBN: 2141 – 1778 Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License Isikhuemen and Aigbobo, 2020 DISAPPEARANCE OF AFRICAN ELEPHANT FROM KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA: CAUSES, STATUS AND PROSPECTS FOR REINTEGRATION *Isikhuemen E. M. and Aigbobo E. N. Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. *Corresponding author E-mail:
[email protected]; +2348033885159; ABSTRACT This paper examines the causes of disappearance/loss and current status of the African elephant in KLNP against the backdrop of international/regional agreements, conventions, national/sub-national institutions (including forestry/wildlife laws); and presents propositions. Data were collected from official reports, Nigeria Parks Magazine and published literature. Results revealed overwhelming anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. built infrastructure, namely Air Force terminal, dam), weak legislation, obsolete equipment and poor enforcement, illegal logging, poaching, cattle herding/banditry and perverse transnational diplomacy, as probable reasons for the loss/exodus of African elephant from the park. There was no substantial empirical evidence to tie elephant loss/disappearance to human-wildlife conflicts or ivory trade. However, the