ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN A PROTECTED AREA (CASE STUDY OF ALDUSSAR PARK AND ZOO, KATSINA, KATSINA STATE)

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effectiveness of wildlife management strategies in Aldussar Park and Zoo, Katsina State, Nigeria. The research aimed to identify current wildlife management strategies, assess their effectiveness, determine challenges faced, and provide recommendations for improvement. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 124 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that the current wildlife management strategies in Aldussar Park and Zoo include research and monitoring, community engagement, habitat management, and animal welfare. However, the effectiveness of these strategies was rated as low, with many respondents indicating that they were not very effective or not at all effective. Insufficient infrastructure, conflicts with local communities, lack of trained personnel, and limited resources were identified as major challenges faced in implementing wildlife management strategies. The study recommends increasing funding, providing training and capacity building, developing community-based initiatives, and establishing partnerships and collaborations to improve the effectiveness of wildlife management strategies in Aldussar Park and Zoo. These recommendations can inform policy and practice in wildlife conservation and management, both in Nigeria and more broadly. The study contributes to our understanding of wildlife management strategies in protected areas, highlighting the need for a more effective and sustainable approach to conservation. The findings and recommendations of this study can be used to promote more effective wildlife management in protected areas, ultimately contributing to the conservation of Nigeria's rich biodiversity. Keywords: Aldussar Park and Zoo, wildlife, management, conservation, sustainability.