Assessment of Wildlife Monitoring Technology Adoption in Nigerian Protected Areas

Modern wildlife monitoring technologies, including camera traps, acoustic sensors, satellite collars, and unmanned aerial vehicles, offer transformative potential for improving the efficiency and coverage of wildlife monitoring in protected areas. Adoption of these technologies in Nigerian national parks and game reserves has been limited, however, constrained by budget restrictions, technical capacity gaps, and logistical challenges. This study assesses the current status of monitoring technology adoption across eight protected areas in five geopolitical zones, and identifies barriers and enablers for improved uptake. Data were collected through structured interviews with park management staff, analysis of monitoring program documents, and direct inspection of available equipment inventories. A technology readiness index was developed to score each protected area on infrastructure, technical capacity, data management systems, and institutional support for technology use. Results reveal that camera traps are the most widely adopted technology, present in five of the eight study sites, though operational quality and data extraction practices are inconsistent. Only one site employs acoustic monitoring, and no site has a systematic UAV monitoring program. Satellite tracking is limited to a small number of collared large mammals in two parks. The study recommends a national technology adoption roadmap for the National Park Service of Nigeria, investment in training programs, and partnership with universities for technical support and research. Open-source monitoring platforms are highlighted as cost-effective solutions for data management. Keywords: wildlife monitoring technology, camera traps, protected areas, Nigeria, conservation technology