Intl. J. of Mol. Evol. and Biodivers. 2012, Vol. 2, No.2, 8-12
http://ijmeb.sophiapublisher.com
9
Also, reptiles have been hunted and traded by humans
throughout history, particularly as food. Still today,
reptiles can provide an important protein source for
many people, or may be sold as a luxury food. Some
reptiles are even used in traditional medicines. The
skin of crocodiles and snakes are used in the creation
of shoes, handbags and belts, and tortoise shell has
become a popular material for jewelry and decoration.
Reptiles have been popularly used in symbology and
myth. Worldwide, snakes have been used as a symbol
of power and sometimes evil, though are also used in
symbols for medicine.
As human population increases and technological
developments attempt to keep pace, a number of wild
plants and animals disappear from their natural range.
Vast areas of natural forests and range lands are being
cleared continually for industrial, agricultural and
residential purposes. Each alteration changes the
ecological status of various native species. Extinction
of birds and mammal species in particular, has closely
followed the curve of human population growth over
the last three centuries.
It is observed that a vast majority of people are more
interested with what to consume rather than what to
conserve. Compelled by poverty which is also
amplified by the present economic conditions of the
nation, indiscriminate hunting pressure on the wildlife
resources has greatly increased (Onadeko et al., 1989).
Although, malnutrition is one of the major factors
militating against good health for many people in
developing nations; however, the high demand for
bushmeat is often ecologically unsustainable, and the
resulting declines in wildlife can have widespread
impacts on ecosystem structure and function. In order to
develop plans for scaling back hunting to less damaging
levels, it is first necessary to understand why, and under
what conditions, people utilize this natural resource
(
Kight, 2012,
http://www.science20
. com/anthrophysis/
predicting_bushmeat_consumption_rural_households-87
657).
Awesu (1980) also mentioned that experts have
suggested that there are some factors affecting the rate of
consumption in so many countries. Hence this study
investigated socio-economic factors of human population
in Abeokuta metropolis of Ogun State that contribute to
the consumption of wild birds and reptiles.
1
Survey methods
1.1
Study Area
The study was carried out in Abeokuta metropolis. The
town is the capital of Ogun State, in the south-western
part of Nigeria. It is situated about 1 000 km North of
Lagos and 70 km South West of Ibadan. The majority
of people in Abeokuta are the Egbas who are local
indigenes. The town comprises of two Local
Government Areas; Abeokuta North LGA and
Abeokuta South LGA. Abeokuta North is located
between longitude 40°37' N, while Abeokuta South is
at latitude 7°58' E. The city being a cosmopolitan city,
is inhabited by various economic rational. The survey
was carried out in markets where wild birds and
reptiles are sold within the town.
1.2
Methodology
A reconnaissance survey of markets were carried out
in Abeokuta metropolis to know where wild birds
and reptiles are been sold. The survey revealed that
four markets were prominent in the sales of wild
birds and reptiles for consumption within the study
area; they include Obantoko, Itoku, Iberekodo and
Brewery. Obantoko and Itoku fall within Abeokuta
South Local Government Area (LGA), while
Iberekodo and Brewery are in Abeokuta North LGA.
Two hundred questionnaires were randomly
administered in the four markets.
1.3
Data collection
Primary data were collected through the admin-
istration of questionnaires to garner information from
consumers of Wild birds and Reptiles in the study area.
Fifty (50) questionnaires were administered randomly
in each market to wild birds and reptiles buyers.
Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly
sampled in all. The questionnaires aimed at collecting
information on socio-economic characteristics of
respondents, frequency of purchase, reason for
purchase, preference for consumption and other
non-demographic variables.
1.4
Method of data analysis
Data were analyzed using percentages; while
regression analysis was also used to determine the
socio-economic factor (local government area, gender,
occupation, age bracket, marital status, academic level,