Insights into medicinal wildlife consumption and bear part use in Rakhine, Myanmar

Davis, Elizabeth; Gaffi, Lorenzo; Mussoni, Giulia; Zaw, Thet; Glikman, Jenny Anne

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125923

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…One might thus infer that UCT is superior to other SQTs tested; however, pairwise comparisons showed that UCT was not better understood than other SQTs (excluding crosswise model). Complexities associated with the selection of list items mean that UCTs may not always be an appropriate or feasible method, particularly if asking about multiple behaviors (Hinsley et al., 2018 ) or if low prevalence is expected (Davis et al., 2020 ; Ibbett et al., 2019 ). That crosswise model was poorly understood was surprising because in other studies it was easier to comprehend than alternatives (Hoffmann et al., 2017 ; Höglinger & Jann, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental validation of specialized questioning techniques in conservation

Ibbett

Dorward

Dwiyahreni

et al. 2022

Conservation Biology

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Conservation increasingly relies on social science tools to understand human behavior. Specialized questioning techniques (SQTs) are a suite of methods designed to reduce bias in social surveys and are widely used to collect data on sensitive topics, including compliance with conservation rules. Most SQTs have been developed in Western, industrialized, educated, rich, and democratic countries, meaning their suitability in other contexts may be limited. Whether these techniques perform better than conventional direct questioning is important for those considering their use. We designed an experiment to validate the performance of four SQTs (unmatched count technique, randomized response technique, crosswise model, and bean method) against direct questions when asking about a commonly researched sensitive behavior in conservation, wildlife hunting. We developed fictional characters, and for each method asked respondents to report the answers that each fictional character should give when asked if they hunt wildlife. We collected data from 609 individuals living close to protected areas in two different cultural and socioeconomic contexts (Indonesia and Tanzania) to quantify the extent to which respondents understood and followed SQT instructions and to explore the sociodemographic factors that influenced a correct response. Data were modeled using binomial general linear mixed models. Participants were more likely to refuse to answer questions asked using SQTs compared with direct questions. Model results suggested that SQTs were harder for participants to understand. Demographic factors (e.g., age and education level) significantly influenced response accuracy. When sensitive responses to sensitive questions were required, all SQTs (excluding the bean method) outperformed direct questions, demonstrating that SQTs can successfully reduce sensitivity bias. However, when reviewing each method, most respondents (59–89%) reported they would feel uncomfortable using them to provide information on their own hunting behavior, highlighting the considerable challenge of encouraging truthful reporting on sensitive topics. Our results demonstrate the importance of assessing the suitability of social science methods prior to their implementation in conservation contexts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental validation of specialized questioning techniques in conservation

Ibbett

Dorward

Dwiyahreni

et al. 2022

Conservation Biology

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“…In our interviews with local inhabitants, we avoided questions about their own engagement in hunting birds but instead examined their knowledge about the occurrence of catching birds and the consumption of bird eggs and meat in their villages (Parry & Peres, 2015;Santangeli et al, 2016). The questions investigated (1) whether the respondents had seen individuals catching birds by using nets, traps, or toxic chemicals around their village or farm (Ibbett, Keane, et al, 2021), the habitat and the season where each of these activities mostly occurred, (2) whether the respondents perceived people in their village who had consumed bird eggs or meat (Knapp et al, 2010), (3) whether the respondents themselves had tasted bird eggs or meat in their lifetime (Davis et al, 2020, Jenkins et al, 2011, Merson et al 2019 whether they had tasted bird eggs or meat during the last 12 months, and finally the identity of three species they had mostly consumed for both eggs and meat (Ibbett, Keane, et al, 2021;Newth et al, 2022;Razafimanahaka et al, 2012; Table S1). We used photo cards of bird species to confirm the reported species.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social and ecological drivers of illegal bird hunting in the Indawgyi wetland ecosystem in Myanmar

Htay,

Htoo,

Røskaft

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Hunting and illegal bird killing are major concerns for avian conservation globally. Unsustainable bird hunting in wetland habitats, particularly those located along important flyways, has contributed to avifauna defaunation and species endangerment. Since wetlands are primary habitats for migratory birds and are associated with anthropogenic landscapes, a comprehensive understanding of bird harvesting, and its drivers is fundamental to reduce threats to current avifauna. In this study, we examined the distribution of illegal bird hunting and its socioecological drivers in the Indawgyi wetland ecosystem in Myanmar by integrating data from bird surveys, household surveys, and market surveys. We found that illegal bird hunting using nets, traps, and poisonous substances is prevalent in areas close to water and during the migration season. People who had negative attitudes toward avian species were more likely to engage in bird hunting, primarily because of the conflicts between bird conservation and crop production. Socioeconomic needs were not the major driving factors of bird killing. We therefore suggest sustainable management interventions promoting coexistence by integrating bird conservation and agricultural production, accompanied by increasing awareness to improve avian conservation in an internationally important wetland in Myanmar.

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“…Younger people had higher levels of education because access to education has improved in recent decades. Many authors have suggested that formal education is an important platform to sensitize people about the extraction, consumption, and preservation of natural resources (Hart 1997, Fungo et al 2016, Davis et al 2020. Reduced access to education could similarly reduce access to jobs, which, in turn, would result in restricted income sources, culminating in increased dependence on natural resources such as turtle eggs (Madrigal-Ballestero and Jurado 2017).…”

Section: Factors Influencing Sea Turtle Egg Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing trends and perceptions of sea turtle egg consumption in Redang Island, Malaysia

Poti¹,

Long²,

Rusli³

et al. 2021

E&S

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Sea turtles have been exploited at unsustainable rates globally. In Malaysia, their populations have faced serious declines because of diverse anthropogenic stressors including turtle egg consumption. Redang Island, off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is an important rookery for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Southeast Asia. The local community has depended on turtle eggs as a food and livelihood source for decades. Owing to the precipitous decline in sea turtles, the main nesting beaches became legally protected in 2007. Some turtle egg consumption continues despite the protection measures and long-term awareness raising. In our study, we assess the prevalence, motivations, demographic factors, and perceptions influencing turtle egg consumption and conservation. Through semi-structured interviews, we surveyed 73 respondents in Redang village. The interviews show that turtle egg consumption has decreased since the initiation of protection measures, making the eggs expensive and difficult to access. Using binary logistic regression, we found that the respondents' education level and occupation were significant predictors. Education level was negatively correlated with age. People with higher levels of education (younger people) were less likely to eat turtle eggs, possibly on account of changing cultural beliefs and taste preferences, as well as increasing awareness. Those working in the tourism industry were less likely to consume eggs. The growth in tourism has served as an alternative to livelihoods that were dependent on the consumptive use of natural resources such as fishing and turtle egg collection. Further, tourism has catalyzed a shift from consumptive to nonconsumptive uses of sea turtles. Many locals perceived the protection of beaches as important, without which they claimed that turtle populations would go extinct. This research shows that addressing sea turtle conservation requires a multi-targeted approach of regulating sea turtle egg collection, providing economic alternatives such as tourism and long-term awareness raising.

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Insights into medicinal wildlife consumption and bear part use in Rakhine, Myanmar

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

Experimental validation of specialized questioning techniques in conservation

Experimental validation of specialized questioning techniques in conservation

Social and ecological drivers of illegal bird hunting in the Indawgyi wetland ecosystem in Myanmar

Changing trends and perceptions of sea turtle egg consumption in Redang Island, Malaysia

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