Assessment of Wildlife-Livestock Interface and Disease Transmission Risk in Jos Plateau, North Central Nigeria

This study assesses the nature and extent of wildlife-livestock interface interactions and their implications for disease transmission risk in selected communities on the Jos Plateau, Plateau State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. The wildlife-livestock interface represents one of the most critical points in the emergence and maintenance of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, as shared grazing, water, and space between wild animals and domestic livestock facilitate pathogen exchange. Using a mixed-methods approach combining direct observational transects, farmer interviews, and serological testing, the study examined interface interactions across three communities adjacent to gazetted reserves in Plateau State. A total of 150 cattle and 80 small ruminants were sampled for Rift Valley fever (RVF) antibodies and brucellosis seroprevalence using ELISA and RBPT respectively. Findings revealed frequent co-grazing interactions between livestock and wildlife, particularly roan antelopes, warthogs, and baboons. Brucellosis seroprevalence of 11.3 percent in cattle near wildlife reserves was higher than in farms without wildlife contact. RVFV antibodies were detected in 8 percent of cattle and 14 percent of small ruminants sampled. Farmers demonstrated limited awareness of wildlife-associated disease risks and rarely used protective measures. The study recommends targeted surveillance at wildlife-livestock interfaces, farmer sensitisation, and collaborative One Health monitoring involving veterinary, wildlife, and public health authorities in Plateau State. Keywords: wildlife-livestock interface, zoonosis, disease transmission, Plateau State, One Health.