Intl. J. of Molecular Zoology, 2012, Vol.2, No.9, 70
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Another class of wild animals regarded as reptiles that
were used in alternative therapy in the study area and
their corresponding uses include (Table 2): Whole
tortoise which the respondents said could be used in the
treatment of chest pains; Crocodile’s intestine 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;
as well as Python’s fat which are used to cure
rheumatism, broken bones and joints.
Table 2 Wild animals (reptiles) and their by-products used in
alternative medicine at the study area
Wild animals
Part used Medicinal use
Tortoise
Whole
Treatment for chest pains
Crocodile
Intestine Anti poison drug
Puff Adder
Intestine Prevention of adultery in women
Python
Bone
Treatment for backache and spinal
cord disorders
Python
Fat
Cure for rheumatism
Python
Fat
Cure for broken bones and joints
Other types of Wild animals (Table 3) used in alternative
therapy at the study area include: Monkeys’ head, Snail’s
carcass, Python’s head, Whole Chamelion, Duicker’s
horns and whole crickets used in the preparation of
concussion for curing mental disorder, treatment of
Asthma, treatment of lunatism, cure for dizziness,
resuscitation, cold and controlling depreciating memory
respectively. Also, various part of the quail birds and
the eggs are sold for treating ailment such as high blood
pressure, arthritis, as well as in treating skin infections.
Table 3 Other wild animals and their by-products used in
folkloric medicine at the study area
Wild Animals
Part Used
Medicinal Use
Monkey
Head
Charms for chasing evil
Snail
Carcass
Treatment of asthma
Python
Head
Charms for good luck
Chamelion
Whole
Cure of dizziness
Duiker
Horns
To hold certain charms
Black cobra
Head
To cause fear (Intimidation)
to opponent
Cricket
Whole
For high retentive memory
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Conclusion and Recommendation
Contributions of Wildlife products to national health
sector cannot be overemphasized. This has really
supported Nigeria’s health institution especially in rural
and remote areas where health services are scarcely
available, thus ensuring affordable and effective care for
all. Notwithstanding, for maintenance of appropriate
standard and product quality, traditional medicine
traders and practitioners must abide with good ethnics
in their profession. Entrance into the trade and profession
should be monitor and guided by the appropriate
authorities like the National Agency for Food, Drug Law
Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Government
should also formulate policies that guide the operations
of the people involved and follow up for adequate
implementation with feedback mechanism in place.
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Methodology
3.1
Study Area
The study was conducted in Bode market, Ibadan,
Oyo State, Nigeria. As indicated by Filani (1994),
about 72% of the markets traders were involved in this
business. These markets operate business during the
day from about 8:00 a.m till late in the evening. By
contrast, a few of the markets still operate periodic
marketing, when more sellers and buyers come from
far and near beyond the state boundary. Figure 1
shows samples of wild animal product displayed for
sale in the market.
Figure 1 Some of the wild animal parts displayed for sale in
one of the respondent’s shop that was visited
3.2
Method of Data Collection
Bode market was purposively selected from 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 was used for this study. The primary data
were collected through the use of structured
questionnaires administered to all traditional medicine