Effectiveness of Monitoring in Wildlife Protected Areas: A Case Study in Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve Ghana

B.Sc. Jerry Owusu Afriyie, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Poaching and habitat loss have been the biggest problems facing conservationists including management of Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve. As poaching groups increase in size, number and sophistication, it is more important than ever that law enforcement responses in protected areas are robust, reliable, and effective. The study therefore aims to assess how effective the patrols of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve are in curbing illegal activities. Data was collected from standardized patrol forms that are used to keep records of the number of staff on patrol, the time spent, the distance patrolled, types, quantities and locations of illegal activity encountered, and the number of large-mammals encountered by species and location. Mixed effect model was used as the statistical model in the analysis of the data using R software version 3.3.2. All the charts were constructed using Microsoft excel 2016.The distance travelled by the patrol team (Patrol km) (chi sq= 13.25, p<0.0003) and the number of staff (chi sq= 5.23, p< 0.02) had a significant effect on the number of serious offences. Effective Patrol Man Days (EPMD) had had an insignificant effect (chi sq=3.25, p< 0.07) on serious offences with the number animals being the weakest and insignificant (chi sq=1.75, p< 0.19). Eight (8) different kinds of illegal activities occurs with snares being the highest followed by gunshots heard. Number of poachers arrested recorded the least number of occurrences. Among the years, 2010 recorded the highest occurrences of illegal with 2008 recording the least with 191 (occurrences). There was a significant relationship between Patrol km and the number of illegal activities. In most of the years, the farther and longer the team patrols the higher the chance of encountering an illegal activity. Primates recorded the highest number of animal sightings, followed by smaller ungulates and then larger ungulates. The results of the study support the recommendation that, in combination with increased work with local people and targeted patrolling in identified areas of importance for wildlife should contribute to continued discouragement of illegal hunting activities.Keywords: Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, illegal activities, Patrol km, Staff, Law enforcement

Keywords

Law enforcement, Wildlife management, Illegal Activities

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 4. 2017

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Jaroslav Červený, CSc.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Master programme / field:
Engineering Ecology / Nature Conservation