Dr Remi Modupe Omoogun, Dr John Edwin Effiom & Dr Christiana Aloye Ushie
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of gender and age on attitudes towards wildlife conservation in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Using a survey design, data were collected from 250 respondents selected through stratified random sampling technique. The Attitude towards Wildlife Conservation Questionnaire (AWCQ) was employed, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis. Results revealed a statistically significant difference in attitudes based on gender, with females (= 65.21, SD = 7.95) showing more positive attitudes than males (= 62.48, SD = 8.33); t(248) = -2.780, p = 0.006. Similarly, significant differences were found among age groups, with the oldest group (35 years and above) scoring highest. The study concludes that gender and age are significant predictors of conservation attitudes. It recommends targeted awareness and education programmes that address demographic disparities to enhance wildlife conservation in ecologically sensitive regions like Boki.