Background: Bushmeat represents an important animal protein source for populations in rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire; consequently, the exploitation of the bushmeat reserves has contributed to food security in these areas for long time. However, emergence of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 has led to a ban and stigmatization of this essential food source in rural zones. The present study analyses the influence of the decision to ban bushmeat consumption due to EVD on the patterns of consumption of proteins sources and food security. It aims to characterize the different protein sources consumed in rural areas in the Toumodi region before and after the EVD outbreak in order to identify alternatives to bushmeat. Results:The results demonstrated that fish remains the principal animal protein source (92.1% of households) even outside the EVD crisis. Among protein sources, only bushmeat and fish consumptions have been modified with the Ebola threat. The proportion of households that regularly consume bushmeat decreased to 19.8%, however, this reduction in consumption has been driving by sensitization and repression. Fish consumption frequency increased from 4 to 7 times per week in the EVD crisis period. Picking up in the bush is a main mode of supply of some protein sources such as snail or shellfish but their seasonal character limits their use in the households. Vegetable protein sources seem to play a minor role in the diet of the households assessed, whereas edible mushrooms are consumed frequently to complement or substitute animal protein sources. Conclusion:The ban on bushmeat has led to a reduction in its consumption while fish and edible mushrooms seem to have filled related protein deficits in the households assessed. However, constraints in availability and utilization of these alternative sources build an inconsistent basis to fulfil the nutritional needs. To counteract potentially arising protein deficiencies among the population, the development and implementation of fish farming and livestock at short cycle are suggested in order to improve access to protein sources other than bushmeat.

For most Ivorian regions quantitative data on the exploitation of bushmeat by local communities are scarce. We studied hunting patterns around Dassioko Sud Forest Reserve, a remnant coastal forest in south-eastern Côte d'Ivoire, through a 6-month survey of nine restaurants, in three villages surrounding the Reserve. We collected quantitative and qualitative data on the bushmeat brought to restaurants, as well as the final price for which it was sold. We calculated mean prices over the study period and extrapolated to the whole year. A total of 376 mammals (98%) and eight reptiles (2%) were sold in the restaurants surveyed. Rodents and small antelopes represented 74% of the mammals sold, probably reflecting the fact that reproductive strategists persist more successfully in heavily hunted and/or agricultural landscapes, such as the area around the Reserve. Our conservative estimate of the total biomass of bushmeat harvested annually around the Reserve is c. 40,428.03 kg (c. 11,886 animals), with a monetary value of c. FCFA 47,728,516 (c. USD 93,485.75 ), yielding an annual income of c. USD10,387.31 per person, which exceeds the mean annual income of cocoa farmers (FCFA 466,032/USD 932) more than tenfold. Although the sustainability of the bushmeat trade in the surveyed area remains unknown, we showed that hunters predominantly used cable snares, the Reserve was significantly affected by hunting activities (c. 53% of the bushmeat originated there), and larger mammalian species had been extirpated. A lack of effective protection exposes the Reserve to multiple illegal activities, including hunting, a situation exacerbated by the political crisis in 2010.

Context Duikers play a vital role in maintaining forest ecosystems, as both seed dispersers and prey. In West Africa, duikers are also an important source of food and income; however, it is likely that some species are now being hunted at unsustainable levels. So as to contribute to duiker conservation, we used line-transect data and additional information on dung and track counts to estimate relative abundance and establish distribution patterns of forest duikers in Côte d’Ivoire’s Dassioko Sud Forest Reserve (DSFR), a poorly known, remnant coastal rainforest. We also collected basic information on hunting pressure. Methods Forest duiker counts were made twice per month from July 2013 to March 2014 on six line transects of varying lengths (5.6–6.7km) and in different regions of the DSFR, representing different habitat types. The number of sightings per kilometre walked, defined as ‘encounter rate’, was used to compute an index of relative abundance. We recorded all evidence of poachers and used these data to generate a poaching index (# poaching signs per kilometre) for different habitat types. Key results The DSFR has lost three of seven total forest duiker species and populations of the four remaining species are declining. Encounter rates were greatest for Philantomba maxwellii (0.46 indices km–1) and accounted for 68% of total encounters. Cephalophus niger, C. dorsalis and C. silvicultor were encountered at similar (0.07 indices km–1) but much lower rates. For all species, mean encounter rates were highest in degraded forest (0.38–0.73 indices km–1), followed by secondary (0.2–0.44 indices km–1) and primary (0.19–0.44 indices km–1) forest. Conclusions Of the four forest duiker species still present in the DSFR, the black, bay and yellow-backed duikers are the most affected by anthropogenic pressures. Duiker abundance in the DSFR varies with habitat type. This variation is apparently influenced by differences in forest structure, poaching pressure and proximity to villages. Implications The study provides baseline data for future managing of ungulate populations in the DSFR. We recommend that a biomonitoring study of duiker populations be initiated immediately to help determine population trends, investigate habitat preferences, and help curb illegal hunting activities in this important forest reserve.

RESUME ABSTRACTHydrocotyle bonariensis is a plant species entering in food and medicinal habits of people in Cote d'Ivoire. This work was conducted to determine the households' knowledge and utilization of this plant in the district of Abidjan as well as it mineral content. A total of 800 households in six settings were interviewed using a questionnaire. The determination of mineral content was carried out using an atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. The surveyed people included 597 women and 203 men. Their education level varied from no formal education level (382 people) to high school level (61 people). Of 513 households having a E. D. MONYN et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 10(5): 2046-2061 2047 knowledge about this plant, 267 used it for medicinal and food needs. The level of consumption (27%) is influenced by education and life level and cultural groups; Akan from the Central Cote d'Ivoire were the largest consumers. The most used organs were the leaves that had mineral content of calcium (60%), magnesium (35%), iron (3%), zinc (1%) and copper (1%). This study is a first step for the nutritional valorization of H. bonariensis.