You have no items in your shopping cart.
ABSTRACT
A survey of eight (8) markets in Benin City, Edo State, was undertaken for four months between December, 2016 and March, 2017 to ascertain wildlife species used in traditional medicine. Questionnaires were administered to traders specialized in wildlife trade for medicine and native doctors. Nine (9) species consisting of 3 mammals, 3 aves and 3 reptiles were identified as commonly used in trado-medicine and these included pigeons (166.88±7.589), tortoise (162.88±9.296), chameleon (150.13±27.078), chicken (132.88±20.469), skulls of rat (53.50±21.217), alligator (46.25±15.672), pangolin (16.00±6.109), skulls of guinea pig (15.50±7.679), ducks (142.29±10.989). Ekiuwa market, a popular bush meat market recorded the highest number of wildlife sold for medicinal purpose (112.11±29.316) while the least was recorded from Uselu market (87.75±29.202). Ailments treated included rheumatism, convulsion and mental sickness. Apart from the wall gecko substitutes used where original wildlife species were not available were also wildlife species. The subsequent pressure on wildlife is of great concern for conservation.
