EN
Crop raiding activities of primates around Kainji Lake National Park (Borgu Sector), Nigeria was investigated with the use of questionnaires, complemented with field survey focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. One hundred (100) questionnaires were administered to representatives of households in four selected support zone villages. Group discussions were then conducted in the villages. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages, frequencies and charts. We found that crop raiding and animal depredation were sources of conflict in Kainji Lake National Park (Borgu Sector). The primates raiding farmlands identified by the farmers were Olive Baboon (Papio anubis), Patas monkey (Erthrocebus patas), green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) and other primates that could not be identified by the farmers. The largest percentage of raiding (40%) was perpetrated by Papio anubis, followed by Patas monkey (35%) and the least by Green Monkey (2%). The result showed that maize was the most commonly ranked crop of seasonal harvest that was lost. Moreover, an estimated 3-5 50 kg bags of seed were being destroyed in the planting season. The most effective strategy the local communities used in preventing crop damage was watch guarding (70%). Other methods were fencing (60%), hunting (45%), scare crow (36%) and toxic chemical (5%). The mitigation measure advocated by nearly all respondents (57%) was the killing of destructive wildlife species, irrespective of conservation significance. Measures must put in place to educate these communities about wildlife conservation and to prevent wanton killing. The communities should also be compensated for their loss, as this will lead to positive attitudes to wildlife conservation.