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Research Report Open Access

Survey of Wild Animals Used in Zoo-therapy at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Oladapo Olukoya Oduntan

1

,

Abiodun Akinyemi

2

,

Olugbemiga Ojo

2

,

Oladipo Ogunyode

2

,

Oluwatosin

Adesin

2

1

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Mgt, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

2

Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Mgt, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Corresponding authors email:

oladapo.oduntan@yahoo.com

;

Authors

International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2012, Vol.2, No.9 doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2012.02.0009

Received: 5 Nov., 2012

Accepted: 13 Nov., 2012

Published: 5 Dec., 2012

use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Preferred citation for this article:

Oduntan et al., 2012, Survey of Wild Animals Used in Zoo-therapy at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Intl. J. of Molecular Zoology, Vol.2, No.9, 70

-

73

(

doi:

10.5376/

ijmz.2012.02.0009)

Abstract

This study was done to bring to limelight wild animals and their by-products that are used as alternative therapy in the

state capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. Bode market was purposively selected in Ibadan for the study because it is the major market that

attracts weavers and sellers of traditional medicines both within and outside of the state in the capital city. Primary data were

collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to all traditional medicine sellers that were ready to respond in the

market. A total of eighty nine respondents and questionnaire were completed. The wild animal whose uses were mentioned by at least

five persons is reported in this study. Leopard’s hide, Civet cat’s anus, Mongoose’s anus, Gorilla’s penis, Patas Monkey’s skull,

Squirrel’s hair, whole Squirrel, Porcupine’s intestine, Pangoline’s head, Aadvark’s bone and Warthogs’s legs; were found to be used

in the treatment of anti snake venom, prevention of convulsions, boost immunity against fever, preparation of anti-poison drugs, cure

for whooping cough, preparation of anti-poison drugs, preparations for preventing convulsion, treatment for stomach ache,

preparation of drug to control bleeding, treatment for backache and prevention of lameness respectively. The study also revealed that

Crocodile’s intestine were used in preparing anti-poison drugs; Puff adder’s intestine in use for prevention of adultery in women;

Python’s bone for the treatment of backache and spinal cord disorder among others. Policy recommendations were made based on the

outcome of the study.

Keywords

Wildlife; Alternative medicine; Treatment; Cure

Introduction

Alternative therapy is a variety of therapeutic or

preventive healthcare practices that are not typically

taught or practiced in traditional medical communities

and offer treatments that differ from standard medical

practice. Homeopathy, herbal medicine and

acupuncture are types of alternative medicine. The

earliest record of using plants for healthcare by

Chinese people can be traced back to as early as 2 700

B.C. yet the medical properties of animals were first

identified some two thousand years ago where 65

types of animals were described (Bai, 1988). Plants

have not lost their healing properties and the

knowledge of plants in the traditions is still profound.

At the same time there is a rapid resurgence of interest

in natural medicine throughout the world. The World

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as

80%

of the world's more than six billion people rely

primarily on animal and plant-based medicines. Over

90%

of Nigerians in rural areas and about 40% of the

population living in urban area depend partly on

traditional medicines (Sofowora, 1984; 1997; FAO, 2001).

Ingredients sourced from wild plants and animals are not

only used in traditional medicines, but are also

increasingly valued as raw materials in the preparation

of modern medicines and herbal preparation. Modern

medical care is only accessible to urban people. In 1991,

for instance, there were only 7 760 medical practitioners

for 88 541 501 people in Nigeria (F.O.S., 1996), a ratio

of 1:11 407.

Animals and products derived from different organs of

their bodies have constituted part of the inventory of

medicinal substances used in various cultures since

ancient times; such uses still exist in traditional