Wildlife Inventory and Conservation Planning for Lame-Burra Game Reserve, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

This study conducts a systematic wildlife inventory and develops a conservation management framework for Lame-Burra Game Reserve in Bauchi State, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Lame-Burra is one of Nigeria's oldest game reserves, yet it lacks a current comprehensive species inventory and functional management plan, creating a serious conservation governance gap. A multi-method survey was conducted over four months using camera traps deployed at 30 stations for 120 trap-nights, line transect surveys, track and sign identification, and key informant interviews with rangers and local community members. Species occurrence data were compiled and mapped using ArcGIS. Conservation threats were ranked using a semi-structured threat assessment matrix. A total of 31 mammalian species, 84 bird species, and 12 reptile species were confirmed. Camera trap analysis identified lions, leopards, waterbuck, and red-flanked duiker as priority mammalian species. Threat analysis ranked agricultural encroachment (highest), illegal hunting, and cattle overgrazing as the three most critical pressures. Only 22 percent of the reserve boundary was found to have functional demarcation. The study delivers a five-year conservation management plan including patrol route optimisation, community engagement protocols, and wildlife corridor identification for connection to adjacent Yankari Game Reserve. The framework is designed for direct adoption by the Bauchi State Ministry of Environment and provides a replicable model for other Nigerian game reserves. Keywords: wildlife inventory, conservation planning, Lame-Burra Game Reserve, Bauchi State, management.