Application of GIS in Wildlife Habitat Management: A Study of Kamuku National Park, Kaduna State

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as indispensable tools for wildlife habitat mapping, species distribution modeling, and protected area management planning across Africa. Despite the growing availability of open-access satellite data and GIS platforms, the practical application of these technologies within Nigerian national parks remains limited. This study evaluates the application of GIS techniques for habitat management planning at Kamuku National Park in Kaduna State, within Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. The park's diverse savanna habitats support populations of kob, baboon, and hartebeest, and its management faces challenges from encroachment and seasonal burning. Using ArcGIS software, habitat suitability models were developed for three key wildlife species based on vegetation cover, water proximity, terrain, and disturbance indices derived from multi-temporal satellite imagery. Field validation of model predictions was conducted through ranger patrol data and track-based wildlife sign surveys. Results indicate that current ranger patrol allocations are poorly correlated with predicted high-suitability habitat zones, representing a significant management inefficiency. The study recommends the integration of GIS-based habitat models into annual patrol planning cycles and the training of park management staff in basic GIS operations. A standardized data collection protocol for field rangers is proposed to enable continuous model updating. These recommendations align with the National Park Service of Nigeria's emerging conservation planning frameworks and have implications for similar savanna parks across the country. Keywords: GIS, habitat management, Kamuku National Park, North West Nigeria, wildlife mapping