Theory question 104
Conservation of Natural Resources(a) Complete the table below by naming five wildlife animals in West Africa and one body part each that makes them endangered because of the activities of humans.
Headings: Animal | One body part that makes animal endangered
(b) State three effects each of the following factors on the conservation of natural resources: (i) Poor economy of a nation; (ii) poaching.
(c) State four roles played by the Government in conservation of natural resources.
Show the model answer
(a) Any five pairs: elephant — tusks (ivory); leopard — skin; crocodile — skin; pangolin — scales; rhinoceros — horn; python — skin; parrot — feathers; gorilla/chimpanzee — meat (bushmeat)/hands; antelope — horns.
(b)(i) Poor economy: little money for parks, guards and research; people depend on hunting, logging and bush burning for food and income; weak enforcement of laws; poor public education; corruption allowing illegal trade.
(ii) Poaching: reduces animal numbers; leads to endangerment and extinction; upsets food chains and ecological balance; loss of tourism income; loss of genetic resources.
(c) Any four: making and enforcing conservation laws; establishing game reserves, national parks and forest reserves; funding research and training; public education/awareness; afforestation programmes; licensing hunting and logging; international cooperation (e.g. CITES); employing forest guards and game wardens.
For (a) pair each animal with the part people hunt it for.