NATIONAL PARKS AND GAMES RESERVE IN NIGERIA

Definitions of National Park

A national park is a park in use for conservation purposes. Often it

is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a
sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations
designate their own national parks differently, there is a common
idea: the conservation of 'wild nature' for posterity and as a symbol
of national pride.

Definitions of a game reserve

A game reserve (also known as a wildlife preserve) is a large area of

land where wild animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled
way for sport. If hunting is prohibited, a game reserve may be
considered a nature reserve; however, because the focus of a game
reserve is specifically the animals (fauna), whereas a nature reserve
also if not equally is concerned with all aspects of naturally-
occurring life in the area (plants, animals, insects, etc.).

Many game reserves are located in Africa.[4] Most are open to the
public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris. Historically,
among the most well-known hunting targets were the so-called Big
Five game in Africa: rhinoceros, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and
lion, named so because of the difficulty and danger in hunting
them.

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In a game reserve, ecosystems are protected and conservation is
usually key. Indigenous wildlife in its natural habitat help in
providing an environment where growth in numbers at a natural
rate can occur.

Some game reserves contain more than one ecosystem, sometimes

even five, ranging from valley bushveld, savannah grassland and
fynbos to riverine forest and acacia woodland; this provides a
dramatic improvement on the types of wildlife that are present and
the numerous species of birds that thrive on in these environments.

Economic Importance of Game reserve and National Park

National parks protect places of natural beauty. national park is

home to many endemic species. They also protect places important
to Aboriginal people, and places that show how people lived in the
past. National parks are actually protected areas.

Conservation of biodiversity (the variety of our native species and

the ecosystems they form) is the central purpose of protected areas.
High levels of biodiversity keep ecosystems healthy and resilient,
which means that they continue providing vital ecosystem services
such as nutrient cycling, climate regulation, air and water
purification and pollination.

Protecting biodiversity is vital to safeguard our economy; our

cultural, spiritual and aesthetic values; and the intrinsic value of

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species and ecosystems. National parks provide a safe home for
native plants and animals. They help keep the air and water clean.
National parks give us places to enjoy.

The world’s first national park, Yellowstone, was created by an act

of Congress in 1872 as a “pleasuring ground for the benefit and
enjoyment of the people in order to protect for all time this
outstanding natural area.

We need fresh air, clean water and healthy food. Without them we
would die. The leaves of plants make fresh air. Their roots hold the
soil together, which stops erosion and helps keep our waterways
clean. National parks have lots of plants so they play a big part in
keeping our environment healthy.

National parks are places for people to relax in and enjoy. There are
lots of things to do in a national park such as swimming, skiing,
painting, mountaineering, taking photographs, enjoying the view
and taking in fresh air. National parks are places for everybody to
learn about native plants and animals and the way they rely on
each other. Historic sites and Aboriginal sites also help us to learn
about how people lived in the past.

One main reason why we have nature reserves is to protect our

biodiversity- the degree of variation of life. A sufficient biodiversity is
required to keep our ecosystem in natural balance. With sufficient
biodiversity, the loss of any part of the food chain will not lead to a
serious disruption and effects on the other organisms as they can
obtain nutrients in other ways. If not, any disruption in the food

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chain will lead to a stop in the nutrient cycle path and the collapse
of the whole ecosystem over time.

A healthy biodiversity is of extreme importance to humanity as it

provides a number of natural services for everyone. Firstly, it
provides ecosystem regulating services. It maintains our ecosystem,
as mention in the previous paragraph. Not only so, it also
contribute to our climate stability, keeping Mother Earth warm
enough for us to live in. They facilitate the nitrogen cycle so that we
have fertile soil to grow crops on. It also helps to keep our water
cycle going so that there is water resources for us to drink and for
other purposes.

Secondly, a healthy biodiversity provides biological resources for us.

It provides us with food our consumption and natural medicinal
resources that allow us to recover our body to the pink of health.
They also provides raw materials for businesses to create products
that we use. (Eg. Papers)

Thirdly, it provides cultural services. With a healthy biodiversity,

humans can study them for research and education so that we can
understand our natural heritage better. It also allows many people
to conduct recreation and tourism, to relax in a natural
environment and travel back in time where many habitats have not
be destroyed.

Therefore, in order to protect our biodiversity,we requires nature

reserves where rules and regulations are enforced to restrict the
types and amount of human activities that can be carried out in the
area. Otherwise, the habitats, fauna, flora and the geology of the
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natural area can easily be harmed from neglect, uncontrolled
human activities, or mismanagement by the community around the
area. Nature reserves also gives high priority to protect the wildlife,
habitats and natural features are gradually disappearing on Earth,
to ensure that they wont extinct.

Nature reserves also allows a large gene pool to be conserved and

protected so that it can serve as an invaluable resource for future
usage. As the needs of the worlds population are ever-changing, the
vast gene pool that we conserved and using technique such as
cross-breeding or even genetic manipulation, researchers can
invent and cultivate new food sources for our consumption.

Locations of National parks and Games reserve in Nigeria and

there examples

1. Gashaka Gumti National Park

It is one of the largest that we have in Africa and it happens to be

the biggest in Nigeria. It was established in 1991. It is situated in
the eastern part of Taraba State and Adamawa to the Cameroun
boundary. It has a land mass of about 6,402km2. The northern
part of this game reserve is Savannah grassland, while the
Southern part is a rugged topography with very High Mountain,
steep slopes, and deep valleys.

It has an altitude between the ranges of 457 meters (1,499ft). There

is always an abundant river that flows during the dry season. It has
several species that dwells in the fauna and flora habitat such as

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African leopards, lions, rhinoceros, elephants, and Cape buffalo etc.
It is a tourist attraction for people that love tourism.

2. Cross River National Park

Cross River National Park is situated in Cross River State, Nigeria.

The National Park has two regions – Okwangwo and Oban. The
former was established in 1991 and the latter was established in
1988. It has a land mass of approximately 4,00km2. Most of the
land mass is tropical rainforests which are being found in the
Northern and Central parts. While the mangrove swamps are being
situated on the coastal zones.

There are sixteen primate species that have been recorded in the
C.R.N.P. The primates that are commonly found are drills, gorillas,
chimpanzees, and the gray-cheeked mangabey. Some of these
primates have gone into extinction. Some of the major problems
that the park has encountered are poaching, illegal logging and
bush farming. Fun lovers can enjoy hiking when they visit the park.

3. Chad Basin National Park

This National Park is located in the Northeastern part of Nigeria, in

the Chad Basin; with a total land mass of approximately 2,258km2.
The park is made up of three sectors such as the Bade-Nguru
Wetlands in Yobe State (Sahel ecological zone), The Chingurmi-
Duguma in Bornu State and The Chad Basin in the Northeastern
part of Nigeria.

There is a large water reservoir that enhances the life of birds that
migrate to live there during the raining season. People can watch
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the wildlife as they tour on the Dabarmagini Lake and Lake Nguru.
Horse riding and hiking are some of the fun activities that can be
carried out in this National Park.

4. Kainji Lake National Park

It is located in Kwara State and the Niger State of Nigeria. It was

founded in 1978 and it has a total land mass of about
5,340.82km2. The park has three diverse sectors such as the
Zugurma game reserve in the Southeast, a division of the Kainji
Lake that there is a restriction of catching fish and the Borgu game
reserve to the west of the lake.

One can enjoy his or her time visiting this game reserve that
comprises a different variety of wildlife. There are Kali hills inside
the park and in the Oli River. The species of wildlife that can be
found here are lions, hippos, aardvarks and leopards and lots more.
The tourist camps are equipped with amenities and electricity etc.

5. Kamuku National Park

It is situated in the west of Kaduna State, Nigeria; with a total land

mass of 1,120km2. It was founded in 1936 and was initially called
Native Authority Forest Reserve. Then it was later changed to
Kamuku National Park in May 1999. Non-Governmental
Organization (Savanna Conservation Nigeria) manages the
community-based project that promotes sustainable resource
usage.

The federal government of Nigeria has been in search of a

partnership with a foreign financier to develop eco-tourism within
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the park. Kamuku National Park is close to the Federal Capital
Territory (Abuja). There are 19 different mammal species and 177
bird species. The species that can be found here are green
monkeys, baboons, elephants and duiker species.

6. Okomu National Park

The park was initially called the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary with a
land mass of 1,082km2. It is situated in Ovia South-West Local
Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. It happens to be the final
habitat of species that are endangered. Many species of animals
that live in the park have become extinct, because of encroaching
that have been carried on the park.

Another activity that has affected the park is illegal logging and it
has posed a serious threat. Many people in Nigeria visit Okomu
National Park. The park has various species of plants and animals
that are rare in some game reserves. Examples of animal species
that can be found are elephants, chimpanzees, porcupines, river
hogs, buffaloes, antelopes, and white-throated money. You can visit
this game reserve to have a touch of nature.

7. Old Oyo National Park Old

This is situated across northern Oyo State and Southern Kwara

State, Nigeria. It has a land mass of 2,512km2 and abundance
variety of wildlife. There are eleven local governments, 10 of these
local governments are from Oyo State and one is from Kwara State.
The managerial head office of this park is situated in Oyo State.

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There is a large number of wildlife species, which includes both
plants and animals. One can gain access to the park from either the
Northwestern or Southeastern part of Nigeria. The name of the park
is being derived from the ancient city.

8. Yankari National Park

Yankari National Park is situated in the south-central part of

Bauchi State, Nigeria. It has a land mass of approximately
2,244km2 with several natural warm water spring. Apart from this,
there are the different assortment of fauna and flora. Its location in
the heartland of the West African Savanna has made the park to be
unique for tourist.

There are large numbers of wild African buffaloes, baboons,

elephants. Many people have considered it to be one of the best
national parks that are suitable for wildlife observation and it has
promoted eco-tourism and tourism in Nigeria. There are also tents
and hotels where one can stay during their visit to the park.

9. Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary

Afi Mountain protects rare species of animals and it was founded

by the Cross River National Park. Tourists that visit this park enjoy
watching this animal species. In some cases, people study the rare
species to know more about them.

There you have it. The top best game reserves you can visit in
Nigeria right now. Are there other game reserves you love? Feel free
to let us know what you think.

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Difference between National parks and game reserves

National parks vs game reserves. The difference between these is

quite straightforward. A national park is government-owned and
managed and a private game reserve is just that, privately owned
and managed. ... A concession is a designated private area either
within a national park or just outside it.

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