CONSERVATION STATUS OF TRADED WILD FAUNA FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Health care delivery remains a basic need for human survival, and the use of wild fauna species as ingredients for traditional medicine cannot be overlooked. This paper examines the diversity and conservation status of wild fauna species traded for use in traditional medicine in Osun State, Nigeria. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents. An open-ended questionnaire was administered to vendors (hunters and traditional medicine sellers) in twelve out of thirty local government areas of the state. Four Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from each of the three senatorial districts giving a total of 12 LGAs. A total of 120 respondents made up of six trado -medicinal ingredient vendors (lekuleja) and four hunters were randomly selected from each of the 12 LGAs. Data on wild fauna traded were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 37 species belonging to four classes, 21 orders and 28 families of vertebrates were documented to be traded for utilization. Aves (45.9%) were the most utilized class. This was followed by mammals (31.6%) and reptiles (21.6%) with majority of species classified as least concern under IUCN but with varying population trend. Alternative replacement of ingredients in local remedies should be done with caution as successful integration of traditional medicine into public health framework and modern science will influence wellbeing and reduce illegal exploitation of the wild fauna species.