An Exploration on the Perception of the Inhabitants of Muyuka Municipality Towards the Conservation of Francolins, Southwest Region, Cameroon

The increase disappearance of wildlife population in sub Saharan African region over the years due to anthropogenic activities is a great challenge that conservation authorities are facing in the tropics. The rainforest is under threat from large scale forest clearance, mineral extraction and industrialization. Thus, this study is focused on exploring the perception of the inhabitants of Muyuka on the conservation of francolin birds. The data collection witnessed the administration of 250 questionnaires to a randomly selected population in the study area. The result of the study revealed that profession is significantly associated to the importance of Bushfowl (r = 0.503, P<0.05). Moreover, there is a significant link between the inhabitants knowledge on the conservation of francolin birds and the importance of francolins conservation (χ² = 13.883 df=1, P<0.05). The age category and the respondent opinion on francolin conservation showed a very positive association (r = 0.725, P<0.05). Moreover, a respondent score of 47.35% is recorded on the importance of francolin especially for the purpose of bush meat. In addition, the survey recorded a respondent score of 77.55% on the importance of francolin birds for conservation though a serious crop-pest. The wildlife conservation stakeholders would need to educate Cameroonians on the domestication of the some wildlife species such as francolin birds. This would not only boost the economy of the farmers but would also help to sustain their protein source.