Oladapo Olukoya Oduntan¹ , Abiodun Akinyemi² , Olugbemiga Ojo² , Oladipo Ogunyode² , Oluwatosin Adesina²

1 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Mgt, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
2 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Mgt, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2012, Vol. 2, No. 9   doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2012.02.0009
Received: 05 Nov., 2012    Accepted: 13 Nov., 2012    Published: 05 Dec., 2012

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Oduntan et al., 2012, Survey of Wild Animals Used in Zoo-therapy at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Intl. J. of Molecular Zoology, Vol.2, No.9, 70-73 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2012.02.0009)

This study was done to bring to limelight wild animals and their by-products that are used as alternative therapy in the state capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. Bode market was purposively selected in Ibadan for the study because it is the major market that attracts weavers and sellers of traditional medicines both within and outside of the state in the capital city. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to all traditional medicine sellers that were ready to respond in the market. A total of eighty nine respondents and questionnaire were completed. The wild animal whose uses were mentioned by at least five persons is reported in this study. Leopard’s hide, Civet cat’s anus, Mongoose’s anus, Gorilla’s penis, Patas Monkey’s skull, Squirrel’s hair, whole Squirrel, Porcupine’s intestine, Pangoline’s head, Aadvark’s bone and Warthogs’s legs; were found to be used in the treatment of anti snake venom, prevention of convulsions, boost immunity against fever, preparation of anti-poison drugs, cure for whooping cough, preparation of anti-poison drugs, preparations for preventing convulsion, treatment for stomach ache, preparation of drug to control bleeding, treatment for backache and prevention of lameness respectively. The study also revealed that Crocodile’s intestine were used in preparing anti-poison drugs; Puff adder’s intestine in use for prevention of adultery in women; Python’s bone for the treatment of backache and spinal cord disorder among others. Policy recommendations were made based on the outcome of the study.

Wildlife; Alternative medicine; Treatment; Cure