THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

Cross River National Park (CRNP) is a naturally endowed "biodiversity hotspot" with diverse resources ranging from picturesque topography, rivers, fauna and flora. However, the rate of illegal activities in the park is posing serious threats to these resources. This study investigated different forms of threats facing biodiversity conservation in the park between 1991 and 2012. The study revealed that logging, fishing/water poisoning, illegal entry and collection of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) were the common forms of threats in the park. Logging was ranked as the major threat to biodiversity conservation in the park by 42.05% of the respondents, while illegal entry posed the least threat (2.27%). Management constraints identified as threats to biodiversity conservation were inadequate funding, inadequate patrol equipment, unmotivated staff (poor salary) and inadequate support from communities bordering the park. The highest arrest of poachers (79) was recorded in 2008. Implications of these threats are loss of habitat, reduction in fauna resources amongst others.