Assessing the Sustainability of Thryonomys swinderianus Hunting in Ogoni Land

Abstract

Background: Thryonomys swinderianus is a renewable natural resource and is a major mammal that constitute what is termed bushmeat in Ogoni land. Between July 2017 and June 2018, 10320Kg of Thryonomys swinderianus meat or 2580 animals were obtained from the wild by hunting. The number of animals removed compared to its population as at June 2017 prompted this study. Aim: The aim of the study is to ascertain the sustainability of this level of harvest in Ogoni land. Methods: The Robinson and Redford model of 1991 was used to assess the sustainability of this harvest in this study. The maximum possible production of Thryonomys swinderianus from July 2017 to June 2018 was 3.5/Km² and the proportion of this production to be harvested sustainably is 2.1/Km² or 8.4Kg/Km². The actual harvest within this period was 2.58/Km² or 10.32Kg/Km². Results: The actual harvest of 2.58/Km² is greater than the maximum sustainable yield of 2.1/Km² and as such, the harvest of 2.58 Thryonomys swinderianus per square kilometer per year is not sustainable in Ogoni land. Conclusion: The unsustainable harvest of Thryonomys swinderianus should as a matter of urgent concern be monitored and regulated. Continuation of this rate of removal will diminish the renewal rate and lead to the extinction of Thryonomys swinderianus in the near future.