YANKARI NATIONAL PARK

Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State, in northeastern Nigeria. It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometres (866 sq mi) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holidaymakers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

Brief history

There has been no human settlement in the park for over a century. However, there is evidence of earlier human habitation in the park, including old iron smelting sites and caves.

In 1934, the Northern Regional Committee made a recommendation to the Executive Council to establish a pilot game reserve in the Bauchi Emirate. This was supported by Alhaji Muhammadu Ngeleruma, a minister in the former northern Nigeria Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 1956, the Northern Nigeria Government approved the plans for the creation of a Game Preservation area. Yankari was identified as a region in the south of what was then Bauchi Province where large numbers of wild animals existed naturally and could be protected. In 1957 a Game Preservation area was carved out and the area was constituted as a Bauchi Native Authority Forest Reserve. 

Since then, the Northern Eastern State Government and then the Bauchi State Government both managed the Yankari Game Reserve. The park is now managed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Park Service.

In 1991 it officially became a National Park by decree 36 of the National Government.

Wildlife

Yankari National Park has over 50 mammal species including African bush elephant, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope,  African buffalo, waterbuck, olive baboon, bushbuck, hippopotamus, western hartebeest and West African lion.

It is one of the largest populations of elephants in West Africa, estimated at more than 300 in 2005.

There are also over 350 species of bird found in the park. These birds include the saddle-billed stork, guinea fowl, grey hornbill, and the cattle egret.

Features

Yankari National Park features four warm water springs. The Wikki Warm Spring is the largest spring and is about 13.0 metres wide and 1.9 metres deep.
The spring has a constant temperature of 31.1 °C through the year during both day and night and has been developed for recreation.The Wikki Warm Spring is the largest spring and is about 13.0 metres wide and 1.9 metres deep.

Location
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Image credit @Wikipedia, Google images, TripAdvisor