Abstract:

This study was conducted to investigate the population abundance of antelopes based on prevalence in some selected bushmeat markets in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three (3) markets known to have a long history of wildlife marketing/business were chosen as sampling stations. These include: Omagwa bushmeat market, Imo River bushmeat market and Asa market. The stations were visited twice a week for six (6) months, 6 times in a month (December 2017–February 2018) and 3 wet season months (May 2018–July 2018). Sample and data were collected in the morning hours between 7 am and 12 noon when hunters usually return with their bounty. During each visit, morphometric traits of antelope carcasses brought by hunters/bushmeat traders were measured with the aid of a measuring tape and weighed. The sex of each antelope was determined by examining the reproductive organs and the number of antelope carcasses brought to the market was recorded. A total count of 202 individuals belonging to 3 species—Cephalophus maxwelli, Neotragus batesi and Tragelaphus scriptus from the family Bovidae—were recorded from all the three stations, with C. maxwelli being the dominant species in all stations. C. maxwelli had a total count of 141 individuals while N. batesi and T. scriptus had total counts of 35 and 26 individuals respectively. Omagwa bushmeat market had the highest count of antelope carcasses accounting for 63% (126 individuals) of the total count, followed by Imo River bushmeat market with 23% (47 individuals) and Asa market with 14% (29 individuals). A total of 103 males and 99 females were recorded. Seasonal variation data revealed that the dry season had a count of 72 individuals while the wet season had a count of 130 individuals. Combing of vegetation, night hunting, use of dart guns and use of snare traps were the dominant methods used in the study locations. According to the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), these bovids are said to be the least-concern species but this research work showed that T. scriptus and N. batesi were threatened locally.