ABSTRACT

The work investigated the influence of wildlife tourism on the local communities of Cross River National Park. The study was guided by four research objectives which identified the level of involvement of the local communities of Cross River National Park towards wildlife tourism, ascertained the level of benefit of wildlife to the local communities, ascertained the negative influence of wildlife tourism on the local communities of Cross River National Park, and determined ways of improving wildlife tourism in the study area for sustainability of both the local communities and the National Park. The sample size for the study was 397 respondents and the study used purposive random sampling and stratified sampling technique. Data for the research was generated through a well-structured questionnaire allocated to residents of the study area. The data was analyzed using descriptive analytical tools like frequencies and percentages, mean and standard deviation and ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the analysis proved that gender has significant relationship with local community involvement in wildlife tourism (F cal 11.764 > F tab 2.13), there is significant difference in the benefit enjoyed by the local community from wildlife tourism (F cal 24.42 > F tab 2.13) and there is significant influence of wildlife tourism on the local community of Cross River National Park. (F cal 2.63 > F tab 2.13) at 5% level of significance. The empirical survey revealed that the null hypothesis was not true. From the study, it was recommended that effective host participation in planning and management should be encouraged as it can build support for wildlife tourism development, create new partnership, help resolve conflict between stakeholders and provide an additional source of knowledge and labour. Also, favourable park policies that allow host participation in wildlife tourism should be formulated. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ii

Approval iii

Certification iv

Dedication v

Acknowledgement vi

Abstract vii

Table of Content viii

List of Tables xi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 6

1.3 Objectives of the Study 6

1.4 Research Questions 7

1.5 Hypothesis of the Study 7

1.6 Significance of the Study 7

1.7 Scope of the Study 8

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1    Conceptual Framework 9

2.1.1 Wildlife 9

2.1.2 Ecotourism 10

2.1.3 Wildlife Tourism 11

2.1.4 Types of Wildlife Tourism 12

2.1.5 Negative Impacts of Wildlife Tourism 13

2.1.6 Positive Impacts of Wildlife Tourism 14

2.1.7 Tourism and the Environment 15

2.1.8 Local Community 16

2.1.9 Tourism and the Local Community 17

2.2    Theoretical Framework 18

2.2.1 Social Exchange Theory (SET) 18

2.2.2 Doxey’s Irridex 20

2.2.3 Butler’s Tourism Destination Lifecycle 20

2.2.4 Tourism Stakeholders Theory 21

2.2.5 Conservation Management Models 23

2.3    Empirical Framework 28

2.4    Influence of Wildlife Tourism on the Local Community 30

2.5    Summary of Literature Review 31

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODLOGY

3.1    Research Design 33

3.2    Area of the Study 33

3.3    Population of the Study 34

3.4    Sample 34

3.5    Sample Technique 34

3.6   Instrument for Data Collection 35

3.7   Validation of the Instrument 36

3.8   Data Collection Techniques 36

3.9   Method of Data Analysis 36

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1   Data Analysis and Interpretation 37

4.2   Major Findings 44

4.3   Discussion of Findings 45

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1   Summary of Findings 48

5.2   Conclusion 49

5.3   Recommendation 49

REFERENCES 51

APPENDIXES