Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 April 2009
The importance of wildlife as a source of meat, as well as tourist revenue, is the most telling argument for its protection in Nigeria, where bushmeat is highly valued. Many species have been seriously overhunted, but populations could be built up again. The creation of a wildlife division in the Forestry Department last year was a major step in the right direction and 29 new reserves are planned. Animal numbers are increasing noticeably in the two major existing reserves, Yankari and Borgu.