Correlates of Bushmeat Hunting among Remote Rural Households in Gabon, Central Africa

Abstract

Hunted wild animals (i.e., bushmeat) are a main source of protein for many rural populations in the tropics, and the unsustainable harvest of these animals puts both human food security and ecosystem functioning at risk. To understand the correlates of bushmeat consumption, we surveyed 1219 households in 121 rural villages near three newly established national parks in Gabon. Through the surveys we gathered information on bushmeat consumption, income, and material assests. In addition, we quantified land cover in a 5-km radius around the village center and distance of the village center to the nearest park boundary. Bushmeat was not a source of income for most households, but it was the primary animal protein consumed. Ninety-seven percent of households consumed bushmeat at least once during a survey period of 12 days. Income or wealth, land cover, distance of village to the nearest park boundary, and level of education of the head of the household were among the factors that significantly related to the likelihood of consuming any of the 10 most commonly consumed species of bushmeat. Household size was the predictor most strongly associated with quantities of bushmeat consumed and was negatively related to consumption. Total bushmeat consumption per adult male equivalent increased as household wealth increased and decreased as distance of villages to park boundaries increased. Bushmeat consumption at the household level was not related to unit values (i.e., price estimates for a good that typically does not have a market value; estimates derived from willingness to sell or trade the good for items of known price) of bushmeat or the price of chicken and fish as potential substitutes. The median consumption of bushmeat at the village level, however, was negatively related to village mean unit values of bushmeat across all species. Our results suggest that a lack of alternative protein sources motivated even the wealthiest among surveyed households to consume bushmeat. Providing affordable, alternative protein sources to all households would likely reduce unsustainable levels of bushmeat consumption in rural Gabon.

The bushmeat trade in African savannas: Impacts, drivers, and possible solutions

“…Relationships between wealth, livestock ownership and bushmeat consumption are complex and variable (Wilkie et al, 2005;Wilkie et al, 2011;Foerster et al, 2012). In Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, bushmeat consumption increases with income Wilkie et al, 2005;Fa et al, 2009).…”

Analysis of local livelihoods around Moukalaba-Doudou National Park in Gabon

“…Third, the authors make a comparison with previous studies. Compared with the similar studies conducted in other regions of Gabon and other African protected areas (Coad et al 2010, Foerster et al 2012, the authors point out that there are considerable differences in natural resource utilization in spite of the similar ecological conditions. The authors also compare the current work's data with the data obtained in 1999 in the same area (Blaney and Thibault 2001, Blaney et al 2009a, 2009b and analyze the chronological changes in natural resource utilization that were largely influenced by the establishment of the national park in 2002.…”

Are alternative livelihood projects effective at reducing local threats to specified elements of biodiversity and/or improving or maintaining the conservation status of those elements?

“…For example, the provision of alternative protein and income-generating sources to bushmeat hunters is one of the most widely used strategies aimed at reducing bushmeat consumption and trade by local people [1][2][3]. Despite the common deployment of these projects, there has been little analysis of their effectiveness [4].…”

“…Specifically, it (1) describes the volume and nature of evidence on the effectiveness of alternative livelihood projects and the prevailing evidence gaps (the systematic map); and, (2) synthesises the findings of empirical studies that evaluate conservation effectiveness (the systematic review). This study complements and expands upon a recent review of alternative livelihood projects focussed specifically at reducing bushmeat hunting in Central Africa [4].…”