Subsistence Hunting in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest, Kenya, and Its Effects on Mammal Populations

Abstract

Mammal populations in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest, Kenya, provide an important source of protein and income for local communities. The harvested biomass in 1991 was over 350 kg/km2, and the economic value of the harvest was over 1.3 million KShs (approximately US$35,000). Bushpigs, aardvarks, and primates comprise 95% of the harvested biomass, but the main prey in terms of number of animals killed (35% of total) was the four‐toed elephant shrew (Petrodomus tetradactylus). Trapping is concentrated on the periphery of the forest and reduces densities of four‐toed elephant shrews within 1–2 km of the forest edge by 41%, squirrels by 66%, and Syke's monkeys by 55%. Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), Syke's monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis), and the larger ungulates are also hunted with dogs throughout the forest. The results of our study suggest that yellow baboons and Syke's monkeys are overharvested, and current offtake rates of elephant shrews, squirrels, and duikers (Cephalophus spp.) are sustainable. Overharvesting has reduced the densities of large ungulates, including bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer), to low levels. Differences in reproductive rates, abundance, population, dispersion, ease of capture, and relative vulnerability to hunting, as compared to trapping, influence the extent to which different prey species are affected by harvesting. Caza de subsistencia en la selva de Arabuko‐Sokoke, en Kenia, y sus efectos sobra las poblaciones de mamíferos

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

“…From our sample of 25 case studies (which often incorporate multiple sites, and providing insights from 14 countries), the impacts of bushmeat hunting on wildlife appear to fall into three categories (Table 3). -Large ungulate populations reduced to low densities throughout reserve, the density of small mammals has been reduced for 1-2 km from the boundary (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) Niassa (Wright et al, 2007;Brodie et al, 2009). Such impacts were recorded in 60% of case-studies (Table 3).…”

“…Logging companies often perceive bushmeat as a free commodity with which to supplement workers' income (Wilkie et al, 2011). The frequency of bushmeat hunting and rate of bushmeat consumption declines with distance from human settlements (Hofer et al, (Fitzgibbon et al, 1995) ; 4 (Saru, 2012) ; 5 (Fusari and Carpaneto, 2006) ; 6 (Lindsey and Bento, 2012) 7 C. Roche, unpublished; (Warchol and Johnson, 2009) Hofer 2000, Barnett 2002, 1996Muchaal and Ngandjui, 1999;Brashares et al, 2011;Lindsey et al, 2011a) and wildlife populations fare better where human settlement is not permitted .…”

The role of bushmeat in a West African agricultural landscape

“…There is however scant information on the motives underlying these patterns and on how bushmeat hunting may be linked to other activities such as crop protection (e.g. Davies, 1990;Fitzgibbon et al, 1995;Caspary, 1999). Moreover, the role of bushmeat in household subsistence in West Africa's rural areas is not well known (Crookes et al, 2007).…”

Where are the major gaps in the reserve network for Africa's mammals?

“…For example, in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya, and the coastal lowland forests of Kenya and Tanzania, most species of threatened forest mammals are confined to forest reserves (Burgess et al, 1998b;Burgess & Clarke, 2000). However, for larger mammals the forest reserves often afford little protection against hunting, and many of these reserves have been emptied of their larger mammal species to supply the bushmeat trade (Fa et al, 1995;Fitzgibbon et al, 1995;Wilkie & Carpenter, 1999;Oates, 1999).…”