Trends in wildlife conservation practices in Nigeria

Civilization and development came with force of manipulations on the habitats of most wildlife so as to meet the needs of man. Urge for propagation and sustainability of wild flora and fauna brought about conservation practices that led to designating particular locations for their keeping. These areas are set aside to maintain functioning natural ecosystems to act as refuge for species and to maintain ecological processes. Forest and game reserves are the first protected areas created and maintained in Nigeria. They existed long before the creation of national parks in the country. Most of the game and forest reserves were upgraded and enacted to the status of national parks. In some situations like in Kainji Lake National park, Borgu Game Reserve and Zuguruma forest reserve were merged and enacted with decree No 46 of 1979 to be a national park. Conversion of some of the game reserves to national parks led to increase in the number of national parks.   Key words: Borgu Game Reserve, Zuguruma Game Reserve, flora and fauna.