Organ-specific distribution of pesticide residues in maxwell’s duiker (cephalophus maxwellii)

Pesticide contamination of wildlife poses significant risks to biodiversity conservation and food safety. This study assessed pesticide residue levels in the flesh, liver, and kidney of Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus maxwellii) obtained from Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, and Oyo States, Nigeria. Samples were analyzed for common organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides using validated residue detection methods. Results showed that pesticide concentrations in muscle tissues were largely below detectable limits, indicating minimal direct risk to consumers of duiker meat. However, detectable residues of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites were found in the liver and kidney, with higher accumulation in lipid-rich organs. These findings suggest organ-specific bioaccumulation of persistent pesticides and highlight the continued presence of banned chemicals in Nigerian ecosystems. The persistence of such residues, despite regulatory restrictions, underscores the need for strengthened pesticide control measures, routine wildlife monitoring, and awareness campaigns to reduce ecological and human health risks.