ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Melle Ekane M*, Fominka TN, Agbor JA, Mbome IM, Aganya BE, Kamah PB, Che Scholastica N, Esther Eyong MA, Tadida EC, Tashe VN
Highway traffic noise pollution is unavoidably generated by human activity, and has caused serious health problems to the human society. However, it’s also a challenge to many wildlife species, though, continous exposure to the noise stimuli has seemingly given them adaptation. Understanding the ability of wildlife species to cope with noise pollution is complex, thus, requires research. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore automobile and motor bike traffic noise intensity on African grey parrots’ activity in Limbe Botanic Garden. The research data was collected for a period of three months from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm each day. Traffic noise pollution is difficult to avoid in urban settings because of huge human population and its activity, however, its interference with other sounds is common, and wildlife population living in cities, such as birds are affected. The study revealed a positive significance X2 = 25.796 df=2 P=0.000 and X2 =39.489 df=6 P=0.000 on photo- period and meteorological conditions respectively. Moreover, meteorological changes in the study area recorded significance on sun 75%, cloud 15%, wind 6%, and rain 4% respectively. Furthermore, noise intensity of automobile and motor bike traffic around the botanic garden area showed a significance X2 = 5.657 df=8 P<0.05, and r = 0.209 P=0.000 on behavior and parrots' food availability respectively. The highest parrots’ activity recorded during this study was on contact calls 54%, and the least was roosting 3%. Though a comprehensive inventory is not carried out on the parrot population in Cameroon, there are signs, these birds are already facing population reduction; principally because of the pet-trade driven by the craving human love for the colourful plumage morphology and the talented sound-mimicking behavior of the parrots. There is a necessity for further study to be carried out on the birds’ population census in the country. The study found that traffic noise intensity at all levels have a negative influence on the aggregation activity of grey parrots, reason why they avoid the vegetation along the streets of the garden. Finally, oil palm fruit-feeding was a dominant activity recorded in this study, hence, we recommend more oil palm trees be planted in the garden far from major roads to enrich the feeding environment of the grey parrots.
Keywords: Highway; Noise Pollution; Parrots; Interference Meteorology; Wildlife
