Home  |  About Us |  Research  |  Donations |  Links  |  Search |

< Resolving Conflict
< Saving Endangered Species

Finding Solutions to Bushmeat Exploitation in West Africa

 

One of the greatest conservation challenges facing us today is the rapid decline of wild populations of those animals hunted for food in Central and West Africa. The trade in such 'bushmeat' is estimated to represent an even greater threat to the survival of wild animal species than does deforestation. We are researching the current bushmeat trade in the biodiversity rich area between Nigeria and Cameroon. Our central goal is to devise methods of reducing bushmeat exploitation by integrating wildlife research with an understanding of the critical socio-economic and cultural roles that this meat source plays to many people in Africa.

 

Project location: Nigeria and Cameroon, West Africa

Why is this project important?

In most parts of Central Africa, people rely on meat from wild animals as their primary source of dietary protein. This is referred to locally as bushmeat, and includes all terrestrial animals from the bush (tropical forest). For many large-bodied, slow-growing species, such as the great apes, it is believed that bushmeat hunting currently exceeds their replacement rate, and is therefore unsustainable. We are conducting interdisciplinary research in the Sanaga-Cross Rivers region spanning Cameroon and Nigeria. Our aims are to determine how biological and socio-economic factors affect the extraction rate, and use, of wildlife species for bushmeat, and to identify viable solutions to this pending extinction crisis.

What are we doing?

We are asking three main questions about the bushmeat trade in the Sanaga-Cross region of West Africa: a) what is the level of wildlife extraction for human consumption?; b) who are the main participants in the trade?; and c) how important is bushmeat in the diets of people? We trained and employed local assistants to collect data from over 90 different sites throughout the region. Data collection took place between October 2001 and September 2003. We compiled inventories of the extent, and condition, of forest areas, and we calculated deforestation rates, from satellite images and maps. We collected information on the distribution and abundance of a number of bushmeat species that are threatened in the region, and we have documented extraction levels, the perceived status of hunted species and the importance of bushmeat (through explicit nutritional questionnaires) to different human social sectors. Now, we are using our data to create an accurate, spatially explicit model of the bushmeat situation. This will help us to identify measures that might reduce the bushmeat trade to sustainable levels.


Gilbert Asuquo, interviewing a Nigerian hunter with a
fresh duiker carcass
PHOTOGRAPH: EUGENE BASSEY


How is this project making a difference?

Deliverables

We have developed GIS maps showing the landscape ecology of the area and the distribution and abundance of the main hunted species. We now understand the value and limitations of using bushmeat markets as barometers of hunting activity, and the data gathered through our nutrition questionnaires will allow us to assess levels of protein deficiency in the region. In the course of this project, we field-tested an efficient data-gathering methodology that included the production of training literature in collaboration with the local wildlife departments and extensive training of local field assistants. When our fieldwork came to an end, we donated vehicles, computers and surplus literature to our local partners. Other deliverables will include the publication of scientific papers based on our results, and the production of action plans for the conservation of the most threatened bushmeat species. Most importantly, we will disseminate our findings to both the relevant national governments and the local people from the villages where we have worked.

Cascade effects

Essential to the long-term success of this venture is continuity. By continuing our working, and capacity building, in the Sanaga-Cross region, we improve the likelihood of maintaining the impetus that our work has created. Communication is key to solving sensitive problems such as unsustainable bushmeat extraction. It is therefore fundamental that we provide the local people and governments with the results of our study, because without the understanding and cooperation of the local people, the problem cannot be solved.

How can you help?

This project is nearing completion, but you can find out about the budgetary needs of a related study [The Economics of Bushmeat Exploitation] by contacting us at the address below.

If you are interested in finding out more about the science involved in this project, we would be happy to send you further information. See our contact details.

WildCRU is part of the University of Oxford, a tax- exempt charity. To maximise tax benefits to both donors and WildCRU, please see Donations.



Dried monkeys for sale in the Ikom bushmeat market, Nigeria
PHOTOGRAPH: SARAH SEYMOUR

Partners
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey - in particular we thank Dr John Fa of the Durrell Institute for his collaborative work on this project, and for his supervision of the thesis-research of our doctoral student Lise Albrechtsen.

Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
Nuffield Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK CERCOPAN, Calabar, Nigeria
Cross River National Park (CRNP), Calabar, Nigeria

Principal funders
The Darwin Initiative for Biodiversity
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, USA.

 

Text by Lise Albrechtsen and Sandra Baker