Wildlife Trade and Market Dynamics in Ibadan, Oyo State: Implications for Protected Species

Wildlife markets in major urban centres serve as critical nodes in the illegal and legal trade networks that drain biodiversity from surrounding forest and savanna ecosystems. Ibadan, as one of Nigeria's largest cities and a regional trade hub in the southwest, hosts several active wildlife markets whose composition and trade dynamics have received limited recent study. This study documents the species traded, trade volumes, market structure, and regulatory compliance levels in four wildlife markets in Ibadan, Oyo State. Systematic market surveys were conducted over twenty-four survey days across dry and wet seasons, recording all live animals, trophies, and derived products observed for sale. Vendor interviews captured sourcing areas, pricing, and buyer profiles. Species identification was confirmed using field guides and photographic records. A total of 76 wildlife species were recorded in trade, of which 23 are listed on the CITES appendices. Live animals accounted for 54% of trade items, with African grey parrots, monitor lizards, and tortoises constituting the highest-value commodities. Vendor awareness of wildlife trade regulations was low, and no regulatory enforcement was observed during the survey period. Long-distance sourcing from Cross River, Edo, and Taraba states was reported by 41% of vendors. Recommendations include deployment of wildlife trade inspectors to major markets, public awareness campaigns targeting buyers, and interagency coordination between state forestry departments. Keywords: wildlife trade, illegal wildlife, Ibadan, market survey, CITES