Geoinformatics-Based Predictive Modelling of Encroachment and Wildlife Crime in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

In Nigeria as in many developing countries, encroachment and wildlife crime are critical environmental challenges in protected areas, undermining ecological equilibrium, conservation efforts and spatial resilience [1].Encroachment entails the unauthorized occupation or utilization of land within the boundaries of protected zones, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, economic pressures, and unresolved land tenure disputes [2].Similarly, wildlife crime, encompassing activities like poaching, illegal logging, and resource extraction, threatens biodiversity, disrupts ecosystem balance, and undermines global conservation goals [3].