TY - JOUR T1 - Analyses of Threats on Managements, Rangers and Ranges in Old Oyo National Park as a Tourism Destination, Oyo State, Nigeria AU - Oloyede, Adekunle Olufemi AU - Lameed, Adeitan Adeola AU - Adesunloye, Dotun Tosin AU - Olaniyi, Temidayo Olayemi AU - Olarinde, Roseline Olufeyisayo AU - Olanipekun, Bosede Folake PY - 2025 DA - July Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.26650/jot.2025.10.1.1500224 JF - Journal of Tourismology PB - Istanbul University WT - DergiPark SN - 2459-1939 SP - 34 EP - 50 VL - 11 IS - 1 LA - en AB - Protected areas are one of the most effective strategies for minimising human impacts on biodiversity globally. However, studies have shown that protected areas face numerous threats, yet there is little emphasis on arranging these threats by severity. This study analysed the threats to management, rangers, and ranges in Old Oyo National Park (OONP), Nigeria, and assessed their impact on conservation efforts. OONP, covering an area of approximately 2,512 km², is Nigeria's fourth-largest national park with five ranges and 185 rangers. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, selecting all five ranges and randomly selecting 40% of rangers (74) for the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and observations then analysed using descriptive statistics and Garrett Ranking. The findings revealed that grazing posed the most severe threat (89.2%), while logging was the least (44.5%). Threat severity varied by range, with grazing and bush burning predominant in Yemoso and human settlement and mining prevalent in Tede. Challenges such as limited vehicles and inadequate management hindered efforts to mitigate these threats. This study highlights the importance of local community support to mitigate the impact of threats on the park’s biodiversity and management. KW - Perception KW - National Park KW - Threats KW - Park Rangers KW - Management CR - Adetoro, A. O., Oyeleye, D. O., & Ijeomah, H. M. (2011). Causes and impacts of conflicts on biodiversity management at the buffer zone of Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State. African Research Review, 5(1), 485–491. google scholar CR - Afolayan, T. A., & Ajayi, S. S. (1983). Fifty years of Nigerian wildlife resources. Niger Field International Field Studies Journal West Africa, 47(4), 139–144. google scholar CR - Alarape, A. O. (2002). Culture and conservation in Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State, Nigeria (PhD thesis, University of Ibadan). google scholar CR - Arora, M., Dhiman, V., & Sharma, R. L. (2023). Exploring the dimensions of spirituality, wellness and value creation amidst Himalayan regions promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability. Journal of Tourismology, 9(2), 86–96. https://doi.org/10.26650/jot.2023.9. 2.1327877 google scholar CR - Baydeniz, E. (2024). Blockchain technology in tourism: Pioneering sustainable and collaborative travel experiences. Journal of Tourismology, 10(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.26650/jot.2024.10.1.1312994 google scholar CR - Berkes, F. (2007). "Community-based conservation in a globalized world." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(39), 15188–15193. google scholar CR - Brashares, J. S., Arcese, P., & Sam, M. K. (2004). Bushmeat hunting, wildlife declines, and fish supply in West Africa. Science, 306(5699), 1180–1183. google scholar CR - Chernobay, L., & Chernobay, O. (2014). Specially protected natural areas of the Novosibirsk region. Flora and Fauna: Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University Bulletin, 175, 16–20. google scholar CR - Craigie, I. D., Baillie, J. E. M., Balmford, A., et al. (2010). Large mammal population declines in Africa’s protected areas. Biological Conservation, 143(9), 2221–2228. google scholar CR - De Merode, E., Smith, K. H., Homewood, K., et al. (2007). The impact of armed conflict on protected-area efficacy in Central Africa. Biological Conservation, 134(2), 276–287. google scholar CR - Dunbar, R. V. (2013). Conservation officer safety: An analysis of factors related to assaults, use of force, accidents, injuries, and illnesses (M.Sc thesis, American Public University, Charlestown, WV). google scholar CR - Eriksson, O. (2022). Coproduction of food, cultural heritage, and biodiversity by livestock grazing in Swedish semi-natural grasslands. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.801327 google scholar CR - Göktaş, L. (2023). Tourist tax for sustainability: Determining willingness to pay. Journal of Tourismology, 9(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10. 26650/jot.2023.9.1.1261326 google scholar CR - Ervin. (2010). Biodiversity in sustainable diets: Technical Workshop Report, Rome. Food and Agriculture Organization, 19 pp. google scholar CR - Halidu, S. K., Fingesi, U. I., & Akinola, O. O. (2023). Impacts of wildlife conservation education efforts on selected communities surrounding Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. KIU Journal of Social Sciences, 9(2), 197–205. google scholar CR - Ijeomah, H. M., & Ogbara, D. (2013). Challenges of wildlife management in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 9(1), 1–8. google scholar CR - Ijeomah, H. M., Ogbara, D., & Azeez, O. (2015). Ecotourism potential and management challenges in Nigerian National Parks. African Journal of Environmental Studies, 11(3), 45–56. google scholar CR - IUCN. (2021). Protected areas category II: National parks. Retrieved from https://www.iucn.org google scholar CR - Jacob, D. E., Eniang, E. A., Nelson, I. U., & Udoakpan, U. I. (2018). Vegetation assessment of Sclater’s Guenon habitat in Ikot Uso Akpan Forest, Itu, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2(6), 32–38. https://doi.org/10. 5376/ijmec.2015.05.0001 google scholar CR - Jacob, D. E., Nelson, I. U., Udoakpan, U. I., & Etuk, U. B. (2015). Wildlife poaching in Nigerian National Parks: A case study of Cross River National Park. International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 5(4), 1–7. google scholar CR - Jacob, D. E., & Ogogo, A. U. (2011). Community participation in protected area management: A case study of Cross River National Park. In L. Popoola, K. Ogunsanwo, & F. Idumah (Eds.), Forestry in the context of the millennium development goals (pp. 412–415). Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. google scholar CR - Jacob, D. E., Nelson, I. U., & Ogogo, A. U. (2013). Impacts of wildlife conservation laws in Cross River National Park. Conservation Science Journal, 3(2), 75–84. google scholar CR - Lindsey, P. A., Romañach, S. S., & Davies-Mostert, H. T. (2013). The importance of conservancies for enhancing the value of game ranch land for biodiversity conservation. Journal of Zoology, 277(2), 99–105. google scholar CR - Malik, R., Yager, G. O., & Ojo, V. A. (2016). Assessment of illegal activities carried out by rural dwellers in selected support zone communities of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Taraba State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 12(1), 52–55. google scholar CR - Naughton-Treves, L., Holland, M. B., & Brandon, K. (2005). The role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity and sustaining local livelihoods. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 30(1), 219–252. google scholar CR - Oladeji, S., Ayanlade, A., & Popoola, S. (2012). "Community-based approaches to wildlife conservation in Nigeria." African Journal of Ecology, 50(3), 377–383. google scholar CR - Ogogo, A. U., Nchor, A. A., & Jacob, D. E. (2014). Challenges of buffer zone management in Cross River National Park, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, 2(2), 156–163. google scholar CR - Ogunjimi, J. A. (2019). Health expenditure, health outcomes, and economic growth in Nigeria. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/ 10.2139/ssrn.3479072 google scholar CR - Robbins, M. M., Gray, M., Fawcett, K. A., & Uwingeli, P. (2011). Improving community livelihoods and conservation through ecotourism: Lessons from Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Conservation Biology, 25(3), 566–570. google scholar CR - Tang, Q., Fung, T., Terasaki, D. E., & Rheindt, F. E. (2024). Rate and extent of genetic diversity loss under non-equilibrium scenarios of habitat loss. Biological Conservation, 289, 110381. google scholar CR - Thouless, C. R. (1994). Conflict between humans and elephants on private land in northern Kenya. Oryx, 28(2), 119–127. google scholar CR - Tranquilli, S., et al. (2012). "Protected areas in tropical Africa: Assessing threats and conservation activities." PLoS ONE, 7(12), e48924. google scholar CR - Western, D., Russell, S., & Cuthill, I. (2009). "The status of wildlife in protected areas compared to non-protected areas of Kenya." PLoS ONE, 4(7), e6140. google scholar CR - World Gazetteers. (2015). Old Oyo National Park. World Gazetteers. Retrieved from https://world-gazetteers.com google scholar CR - Yazdandoost, M. Y. (2022). Economic benefits from protected areas for biodiversity and biocultural conservation. Journal of Global Resources, 8(2), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.46587/jgr.2022.v08i01.004 google scholar UR - https://doi.org/10.26650/jot.2025.10.1.1500224 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4009982 ER -