PERI-URBAN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: PERCEPTION OF THE VISITORS OF THE PARK OF FUNAAB ZOO, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Zoo parks are mainly perceived as recreational areas. However, they could be suppliers of ecosystem services, which could enhance overall societal wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visitors’ perception of the ecosystem services provided by FUNAAB recreational zoo park Abeokuta in the State of Ogun in the Republic of Nigeria. Primary data were collected from the visitors of the Zoo and a Likert scale technique was used to evaluate the visitors’ perception of the ecosystem services by the Zoo park. The findings showed that most visitors were aware of numerous specific ecosystem services provided by the Zoo park. Accordingly, most visitors were aware of medicinal and cosmetic plants, education/interpretation, soil purification as ecosystem services provided by the zoo park. However, only few visitors were aware of the microclimate regulation role of zoo park Abeokuta. Consequently, the study ends with some recommendations for the managers of Zoo Park to increase the awareness of visitors about the key role of Zoo Park in supplying numerous ecosystem services for overall society wellbeing. This study provides an insight, which constitutes a baseline situation to enable sustainable decision making via the incorporation of urban zoological park into policy. This can facilitate more effective planning and management of the FUNAAB zoological park.