Contribution Of Zoological Garden On Tourism Growth In Nigeria

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The earliest forms of cages housing animals are considered to be the forerunners of zoos millions of years ago. However, zoos as we recognize them are a modern creation that emerged from menageries starting in sixteenth century Europe and a desire for entertainment spread outward, eventually arriving in Asia (Pouillard2023). Since 1950, the world has witnessed a continuous increase in the number of zoo visitors. Around 900 million visits are reported annually. In 1980, at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the United States and Canada, 20% of the new affiliation applications came from public natural history museums not attached to a university, a government department, or a company whose core function had been scientific research (Thompson et al.2021).

The application in most cases was motivated by it being an open place that primarily existed to entertain and educate the public. This phenomenon of institutions transitioning from a primary focus on basic research to one more compatible with entertainment reflects the growing importance of zoos, further intensified by the recognition of the globe"s rich, varied ecosystem and its wildlife. (Ruscitti, 2022) More than 80,000 species are scattered across countries and areas of wildlife on Earth in 2020 - 15,000 locations more than were the case in the 1993 data. In summary, the zoo"s role has moved on from being a private amusement based on the aristocracy to an institution that can influence a wider body of people about the wonders of wildlife. Accordingly, the scope of this study includes those within the realms of human and animal zoos in zoological gardens. (Nussbaum, 2023) The zoo revenues, attendance rates, etc. are a major aspect of the zoo tourism industry. In Nigeria, we are blessed with different types of animals for tourist attraction and animal zoos in some of our zoos. We believe that zoo tourism is not compartmentalized within itself but rather the sum total of our entire menu in general. Zoos and, in large cities, aquariums are also major tourist attractions. Where international tourists are willing to visit in large numbers and local tourists flock to whenever in town to learn not only specifics of the local, but about Africa too. Our interest, however, is what makes a country"s wildlife, viz. local values of interest to such tourists, and a people"s long-term interest in the zoo as a place to visit or send its visitors (Mariyam et al.2024).

The study is designed to afford tourism operators, conservationists, and policymakers the cause-effect relationship between zoological gardens and tourism, as well as the overall effectiveness of investment in these important biodiversity conservation posts in Nigeria. Zoos are recreational, conservation, and environmental education centers where land and aquatic animals live naturally or semi-naturally under controlled conditions (Zerbe, 2022). They are also called zoological gardens, animal theme parks, or animal parks/reserves all over the world, or by local names. In the study, the researcher mentioned all these names, but the major areas of emphasis are on the importance of education centers, recreation, and nature protection. Tourism is a rapidly growing industry, and the third world, Africa, in particular, is earning millions of dollars in revenues from animal-watching tourists. It has been realized that animal lovers can also be keen environmental protectors, as they would not like species to disappear from the surface of the globe (Hart, 2022). Zoological gardens help people get closer to the animal world and encourage them to appreciate nature. The aim of the paper is to discuss the interaction between zoological gardens and tourism, as this is an area that has been given little attention in the past. A number of subtopics were treated in the paper, which include: Introduction, Tourism and Nigeria, Zoological Gardens and Tourism, The Unique Characteristics of Zoological Gardens, Interaction between Zoological Gardens and Tourism, and Summary and Conclusion.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Zoological gardens are found in different parts of Nigeria, established for the purposes of education, conservation, and research, some of which have been in existence for over 75 years. Unfortunately, a large proportion of these gardens are yet to meet the full objectives of conservation and ecotourism. (MUHAMMAD et al.) These world-class centers have been left underutilized and remain untapped. Indeed, unpacking the zoo"s potential for the purposes of conservation and economic value has remained unanswered in the country. To successfully develop a zoo as a tourist attraction, the public has to be made aware of the zoo brand and what it offers. Infrastructure and great wildlife are rarely enough. Their restricted marketing of their offerings has maintained anonymity in some zoo gardens throughout the country. At present, very little is known about the economic impact of zoo gardens on the community in terms of visitors" spending and local residents" accessibility (Nomishan et al.2020).

A review of literature on zoological gardens revealed that no academic research has been conducted in Nigeria. Despite the potential role of zoological gardens in conservation and tourism, suitable strategies and policies necessary for the development of zoos meant for tourism growth have not been established as frontiers of academic research in Nigerian colonial history and post-colonial experience (Hooper, 2023). There are few empirical data that explain the full benefits of these gardens in terms of economic impacts, visitor experiences, and operations. Currently, many findings have linked zoological gardens to conservation efforts and functions-and not also linked these functions to the wider role of zoos in tourist visitations. These constraints prompted the development of this study to investigate the socio-economic potentials underlying the operations of game zoological gardens for sustainable tourism development in Nigeria.

1.3 Research Questions

What are the role of zoological gardens in promoting tourism in Nigeria?.

What are the economic contributions of zoological gardens to the tourism sector in Nigeria?.

What are the socio-cultural impact of zoological gardens on local communities and tourism development?.

What are the challenges faced by zoological gardens in Nigeria and propose strategies to enhance their contribution to tourism growth?.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

To examine the role of zoological gardens in promoting tourism in Nigeria.

To evaluate the economic contributions of zoological gardens to the tourism sector in Nigeria.

To assess the socio-cultural impact of zoological gardens on local communities and tourism development.

To identify the challenges faced by zoological gardens in Nigeria and propose strategies to enhance their contribution to tourism growth.

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