COURSE CODE: WRM 505
COURSE TITLE: WILDLIFE POLICY, LAW AND
ADMINISTRATION
NUMBER OF UNIT:
2 UNITS
COURSE DURATION: TWO HOURS PER WEEK
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA
COURSE COODINATOR: DR I. O. O. OSUNSINA
E-mail:
osunsinaisrael@yahoo.com
Office Location: E 211, COLERM
OTHER LECTURERS: DR I.O.O. OSUNSINA
DR O.A. JAYEOLA
COURSE CONTENT
Wildlife and related natural resources
policies; Planning effective use of wildlife
resources;
structure
of
wildlife
administration; wildlife conservation for
economic and recreational uses, problems
of wildlife conservation in Nigeria. Nigeria
law in natural resources management;
interrelationship of Wildlife Departments.
COURSE REQUIREMENT
This is a compulsory course for all
students in the Wildlife Resources
Management option of the Department of
Forestry and Wildlife Management. In view
of this, students are expected to
participate in all the course activities and
have minimum of 75% attendance to be
able to write the final examination.
WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATION
 This is the organizational structure established
for the management of wildlife resources in
many states of Nigeria wildlife is administer as
a unit of forestry division in the ministry of
agriculture and natural resources.
 This takes care of the wildlife resources in the
game reserves. However, the 7 National Park
in the country are administered by the National
Park Board of the Nigeria National Park
services. This parks include:
WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATION
 Gashaka Gumti National Park, Serti, Taraba
State
 Chad Basin National Park Maiduguri, Borno
State
 Kamuku National Park Birnin Gwari Kaduna
state
 Okomu national park Udo, Edo State
 Kainji Lake National Park New Bussa, Niger
State
 Old Oyo National Park Oyo, Oyo state
PROBLEM OF WILDLIFE
ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA
 There is a fundamental problem in the administration of
wildlife under forestry division. Wildlife conservation
matters are not given priority attention in allocation of
foods and working equipment.
 These as often resulted in absences or non-repair of
broken down vehicles in some reservation area. It’s
suggested that there is urgent need for the creation of
autonomous wildlife division at both the Federal and
State level just like the Forestry division in Ministry of
Agriculture and National resources where wildlife
programs will be given maximum and appropriate priority
in their allocation of resources.
NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
 A good administration of a National Park/ Protected
Area requires many specialist such as professional,
scientist, technical, skill and unskilled workers to man
the various section of the park. The conservation area
administrator cannot effectively specialize in all the
numerous function within its Department. He must
therefore assign duties, receive responses, consider
report of investigation make decisions and delegate
responsibilities as much as possible.
 Park administration is a technical skill needing highly
skilled personnel with maximum interest and devotion to
duties. The following functions are usually performed in
the National Park requires special knowledge and
training where and when necessary these include:
NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
 Administrative function
 Legal matters involving prosecution and
litigation
 Real estate and land economics
 Planning and research (various stages of
planning and research into various areas of
wildlife management).
 Engineering (construction and traffic control,
creation of road, pathway for tourists.
NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
 Maintenance of grounds, building and
equipment.
 Biological matter including Horticulture,
floriculture, turf management, arboriculture,
forestry,entomology and range management.
 Interpretation of Recreation resources
 Recreation leadership and promotion as well as
public entertainment and enlightment.
 Policing, surveillance and ranger services.
NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
 Public relation (convincing the rural dwellers of
the purpose of land acquired and Conservation
education and awareness)
 Revenue generating operations, marketing
services provided by the park posters and
handbills.
 Liaison with other agencies: governmental and
Non governmental agencies for funding
promotion, implementation and assistance.
NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
 Budget control, accounting and clerical duties
(Auditing, purchasing and accounting).
 Personnel and labour relations (appointment
promotion and welfare of staffs).
 Hotel and catering services.
 Information technology and Communication
services (creating park websites and updating
information about the park).
 General services standard and performance
appraisal.
POLICY MATTER RELATING TO
PROTECTED AREA
 The basis for responsible legislation and administrative
authority for Protected areas should lie in the National
Policy on Resource Conservation and Development.
Such policy may be writing into the National constitution,
enshrined in legislation or declared in government
programs and manifesto.
 National conservation policy should include statement of
the nation’s commitment to the sustainable use of the
nations living resources including the protection of
representative ecosystem by means of a program of
protected area management.
POLICY MATTER RELATING TO
PROTECTED AREA
 The national conservation policy provides the
frame work for the execution of policy, it
identifies the country conservation need and
objectives as well as area and resources of
particular significance which are in need of
protection.
 It described the program needed to achieve their
conservation objective identity the institutions
responsible and suggest or review the
appropriate legislative and administrative frame
work necessary for the implementation.
POLICY MATTER RELATING TO
PROTECTED AREA
 Where National Conservation Policy and
strategy does not exist other tools influencing
government operation may provide important
guidance on conservation policy.
 Economic development plan and National
planning legislation frequently contain sections
related to development and use of National
resources such sections should incorporate
conservation goals and consideration with land
use planning and other resource development
consideration.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
 Various categories of protected areas call for
different levels of protection and utilization. No
matter what the type or purpose may be
protected area can be effectively established
and safe guard if only there are responsive
legislative and administrative arrangement for
their protection and management.
 The existence of adequate legal machinery is
fundamental to long-term success of any
protected area program. Such machinery
provides the manager with essential support in
meeting his or her responsibilities.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
It’s to the manger’s advantage to work
closely with the legislative process so as
to ensure that is legal base provide the
necessary authority for action.
The lack of legislation specifically
responsive to the need of protected area is
a weakness in the conservation effort of
many countries.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
Revising legislation to adapt
circumstances may be one means of
generating support for viable national
systems of protected area.
It may also provide basis for public
awareness program on the important of
such protected areas for human wellbeing
and local, national and international levels.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
The following points are important for
conservation when reviewing the adequacy
of National legislative frame work of
protected areas.
 Legislation should authorized competent
body to protect the area by force of law.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
 Such an authorized body should be
responsible only to the highest government
authority and should not be subordinate to any
government agencies which has conflicting
policy or objectives.
 Legislation should be base on thorough
understanding of international conservation
agreement but should also be in harmony with
the local tradition, institution and ecological
condition.
THE NEED FOR PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
 When protected area are first planned all inhabitant in
and around the area should be well informed about the
protected area how it would affect their livelihoods and
life style.
 Protection of the natural environment which include
the protection area occupy by the indigenous people
may need to specifically recognized their traditional
land right.
 Any legislation to establish, de-list or reduce the size
of protected area should be averted by the highest
authority in the country: de-listing should be permitted
in the most extra ordinary circumstances.
KEY ASPECT OF PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
With respect to specific provision concerning
protected area institutional authority
Legislation show include the following items
to the extent possible
 Designation of protected area authority or
authorities
KEY ASPECT OF PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
Statement of function, jurisdiction, powers
and duties our protected area manager.
Method to appoint top management.
Degree of authority to initiate and regulate.
Activities envisaged.
Personnel
KEY ASPECT OF PROTECTED
AREA LEGISLATION
 Power to raise and expend funds and
government obligation to ensure adequate and
continual funding.
 Accountability to the legislation and or judiciary
 Relation to other legislation.
 Ministerial discretion to over ride agency.
 Method of reporting.
 Liaison with external against agency decision.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF PROTECTED
AREA MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Protected area management authorities are often
composed of a number of specialized units according to the
need of the protected area programs. This sub-unit may
include all or most of the following
 The directorate supported by a directly supported by a
central policy and planning unit.
 Monitoring and data compilation services.
 Research unit.
 Operational management including: field operation law
enforcement and ecological management.
POLICY RELATING TO NATIONAL
PARK ESTABLISHMENT
 National park is a piece of land set aside
primarily for inspirational, educational, cultural
and recreational purposes and not necessarily
for economic or monetary gains. The piece of
land set aside for use could be an improve land
or Nature land
 National park is a piece of land set aside
primarily for inspirational, educational, cultural
and recreational purposes and not necessarily
for economic or monetary gains. The piece of
land set aside for use could be an improve land
or Nature land
POLICY RELATING TO NATIONAL
PARK ESTABLISHMENT
 Improve land is a land specially prepared for
public use, court for games, playing ground,
picnic horticultural exhibit e.t.c.
 While native land is an unimproved land which in
itself could induce and promote recreation such
as hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational
activities. This nature lands has characteristic
feature which could induce recreation and
promote recreation through nature appreciation,
contemplation, geology, archeology etc
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES EXCLUDED FROM
WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY
In other to achieve the purpose for which
parks are created the following facilities and
activities should be controlled or excluded
where possible from the national park:
 Hunting, killing or capture of the failing.
 Destruction or collection of the flora.
 Any grazing by domestic livestock.
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES EXCLUDED FROM
WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY
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Exploitation of natural resources including Agricultural
and lumbering.
Any undertaken in connecting with mining or
prospecting (digging for searching) is prohibited.
However, should there be any overriding economic
consideration justifying mineral exploration and
exploitation it’s recommended that such the site should
be cut off from the park.
Excavation, draining of the ground or any work
involving alteration of the configuration of the soil or
character of the vegetation.
Dam construction for the purpose of water supply,
mitigation or hydro-electric power generation.
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES EXCLUDED FROM
WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY

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Any activity likely to pollute water.
Building of Roads, rail roads, aerodromes, power line,
telephone lines or any engineering works.
Low flying of aircraft except when on aerial survey or
other experiment.
Introduction of any exotic animals or plant Species.
Carrying firearm, bows, arrows, traps, nets hook or any
device capable of being use in hunting, fishing or
capture of animal.
Generally any activities likely to damage or destroy the
flora or fauna or the landscape.
ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGED IN THE PARK

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Tourism and recreation such as swimming, boating, mountain
climbing, game viewing and any other non-consumptive uses.
Restricted are set aside mainly for Species and ecosystem
protection and approved research purposes should be excluded
from the activities listed above.
The location and construction inside the National Park of roads,
installation and buildings and other facilities required for effective
park administration and management as well as to permit access
and use of appropriate outdoor recreation for park visitor.
Recreation for visitors should not only be limited but also
undertaken in such a way as to disturb as little as possible of the
fauna and flora Species.
Hunting and fishing could be permitted under strict control by the
designated park authorities especially when the carrying capacity
of the habitat has been exceeded resulting in evidence of habitat
determination and endangering the survival of other animal
species.
FACILITIES OUTSIDE THE PARK
The following activities should be as much as possible be
located outside the park boundaries:
 Hotel, resort and associated facilities.
 Mass use of area for recreation and tourism.
 Organize artificial recreation ground e.g. for table
tennis, golf and football.
 Residential building and other headquarter facilities
and park personnel.
 Outdoor recreation facilities involving the use of skylift
and jumps, motorized transport e.g. motor boat and
other ones.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

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Cutting, burning or other removal of vegetation within a National
Park should be permitted only when scientific investigation has
shown it to be a essential management fool in the maintenance of
biotic economy that will otherwise disappear.
Law is required to ensure that land use practices around or
surrounding the parks do not lead to silting, flooding or drying up
of water causes within the park.
The law should also ensure that other human activities do not
cause any diversion or pollution of water causes and any other
consequences slightly to be detrimental to the park since the
effect of pollution could be felt beyond the area of its origin.
Necessary measures should be taken to regulate and control
bush fire in the neighborhood of the park.