People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria

Throughout Africa, feelings towards crocodiles vary according to the danger or fear experienced by communities living alongside them. Crocodile conservation programmes must therefore be based on reliable assessments of cultural attitudes towards these reptiles. In this study, we interviewed a random...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Eniang, E.A., Akani, G.C., Dendi, D., Fa, J.E., Luiselli, L.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: British Herpetological Society 2020
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112757
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author Eniang, E.A.
Akani, G.C.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
author_browse Akani, G.C.
Dendi, D.
Eniang, E.A.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
author_facet Eniang, E.A.
Akani, G.C.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
author_sort Eniang, E.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Throughout Africa, feelings towards crocodiles vary according to the danger or fear experienced by communities living alongside them. Crocodile conservation programmes must therefore be based on reliable assessments of cultural attitudes towards these reptiles. In this study, we interviewed a random sample of 300 persons in six states in southern Nigeria to determine their perception of crocodiles. Our results revealed that most respondents were very familiar with crocodiles, with animals being regularly sighted but only in small numbers. Most interviewees were aware of just two crocodile types, consistently describing the dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and the West African Nile crocodile (Crocodylus [niloticus] suchus); only a minority of respondents reporting they were aware of the West African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus).
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spelling CGSpace1127572024-11-15T08:52:05Z People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria Eniang, E.A. Akani, G.C. Dendi, D. Fa, J.E. Luiselli, L. conservation crocodiles Throughout Africa, feelings towards crocodiles vary according to the danger or fear experienced by communities living alongside them. Crocodile conservation programmes must therefore be based on reliable assessments of cultural attitudes towards these reptiles. In this study, we interviewed a random sample of 300 persons in six states in southern Nigeria to determine their perception of crocodiles. Our results revealed that most respondents were very familiar with crocodiles, with animals being regularly sighted but only in small numbers. Most interviewees were aware of just two crocodile types, consistently describing the dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and the West African Nile crocodile (Crocodylus [niloticus] suchus); only a minority of respondents reporting they were aware of the West African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus). 2020-04-01 2021-03-08T08:52:02Z 2021-03-08T08:52:02Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112757 en Limited Access British Herpetological Society Eniang, E.A., Akani, G.C., Dendi, D., Fa, J. and Luiselli, L., 2020. People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria. Herpetological Journal, 30(4); 112-116. https://doi.org/10.33256/hj30.2.112116
spellingShingle conservation
crocodiles
Eniang, E.A.
Akani, G.C.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title_full People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title_fullStr People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title_short People’s perceptions of crocodiles in Nigeria
title_sort people s perceptions of crocodiles in nigeria
topic conservation
crocodiles
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112757
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