This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic threats on the management effectiveness of Cross River National Park, a major biodiversity hotspot in Nigeria and habitat to endangered species such as the Cross River gorilla and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Using the International Union for Conservation of Nature – World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN–WCPA) framework and Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology, data were collected from 298 respondents (park staff, rangers, and support-zone communities) through structured questionnaires, alongside secondary park records (2018–2022). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regressions at a 5% significance level. Findings revealed that illegal farming, hunting, and logging were the most significant threats. The statistical results indicated a strong link between the threats and the effectiveness of management (F = 229.128; p < 0.05; R² = 0.947), meaning that 94.7% of the differences in management performance were attributable to these factors. The study concludes that persistent human-induced pressures significantly undermine park management. It recommends strengthened law enforcement, improved funding and ranger capacity, enhanced community participation, and sustainable livelihood programs to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.
Nwanja et al. (2026) studied this question.