An empirical assessment of wild fauna species as critical ingredients for traditional curative therapy

• Mammals dominated the zootherapeutic practices diversity and Cultural depth of the 21 documented animal species in the metropolis of Kaduna in the animal kingdom. • Strong Cultural consensus was evident in the ethnobiological indices (RFC, FL, UV, ICF) with unprecedentedly high ICF values (0.95–1.00) and 100 % FL of the species, ranking the study among those with high cohesion of consensus in urban ethnomedicine studies. • The python (Python sebae), cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), and black rat (r attus ) had the highest RFC and UV, making them the most important in culture and medicine. • Conservation evaluation on the species shows that the majority of them were of Least Concern. However, this highlights critical sustainability and wildlife conservation issues for species that are actively traded and classified as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, and Endangered. • The first wildlife-based medicine assessment in Kaduna Metropolis, to this date, was data-based and quantifiable, hence closing a significant research gap. This subsequently provides the data needed to initiate conservation efforts, pharmacological validation, and formulate policy directions. Medicinal practices that incorporate animal parts can strengthen the relationships between people and wildlife. Although this practice is recognised as a positive use of wildlife for healing, the demand for animal-based healing remedies poses a threat to biodiversity. This research examines the use of wildlife for medicinal purposes in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. It details the species, parts used, affected ailments, the intensity of the trade, and the trade's conservation status. This study was accomplished using structured questionnaires and interviews focused on six central markets, and later evaluated the species against the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations. Twenty-one species were noted, with 62 % of the trade mammals, 14.3 % birds, 14.3 % reptiles, 4.7 % fish, and 4.7 % amphibians. Python, Cane rat, and Black rat were the most frequently mentioned in the literature and in practical use. A high fidelity level of 100 % and an Informant Consensus Factor within the 0.95–1.00 range were strongly concordant with the positive, expected outcome of the remedies. Primary ethnomedicine was recorded as a trade motivator, accounting for 52 % of the justification for the trade, followed by religion at 9 % and food at 4 %. Overlapping factors were noted among all three motivators. Conservation evaluations revealed that 76 % of the assessed species were classified as Least Concern, 14 % as Near Threatened, and 5 % were classified as Vulnerable or Endangered. The study highlights the need for traditional medicine and the conservation of biodiversity. The study advocates for the need for sustainable management of resources, control and collaboration across disciplines, and education focused on reducing zoonoses and preserving wildlife, along with its cultural legacy.