Indeed, recent data suggests that the use of wildlife is important to local livelihoods and serves multiple 

 roles. Estimates of the national value of the bushmeat trade range from US$ 42 to 205 million across 

 countries in West and Central Africa (Davies, 2002). Wildlife products are often major items of 

 consumption or display and have high medicinal and spiritual values in many cultures (Scoones et al., 

 1992). Bushmeat, in particular, offers a number of benefits to forest-dwelling populations. It is an easily 

 traded resource as it is transportable, has a high value/weight ratio and is easily and cheaply preserved. It 

 often represents both the primary source of animal protein and the main cash-earning commodity for the 

 inhabitants of the humid forest regions of the tropics. Throughout tropical forest countries, many people 

 benefit from wild meat: from those who eat it as part of a forest-dependent subsistence lifestyle, to those 

 who frade and transport it at all points along different supply chains, to those who consume it in 

 restaurants and homes, often far from the forest. 



The bushmeat crisis 



The increase in population density in many forested areas, as well as persistent problems with the 

 affordable supply of substitute sources of protein, have increased off-take levels, often beyond 

 sustainable levels (Bennett and Robinson, 2000). A review of the literature addressing the sustainability 

 of hunting in tropical forests was compiled by comparing estimated productivity and off-take rates. 

 From Table 1 it can be seen that, in general, hunting appears to be unsustainable. This means that many 

 bushmeat species are being harvested at levels beyond their reproductive rates, which might lead to the 

 collapse of populations and the possible extinction of species. The bushmeat crisis could have 

 considerable socio-economic effects, in addition to the potential damage to ecosystems, and the cultural, 

 moral, spiritual, and emotional loss that extirpations (local extinctions) or global extinctions of species 

 represent for humankind. 



Table 1: Sustainability of hunting 



" Estimated sustainability: % of species unsustainably hunted (number of species studied) 



Yes /No when the above information was not available in the reference 

 Modified from Bennett and Robinson (2000) 



Sustainable use is defined in Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity as: "The use of 

 components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long -term decline of 

 biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and 

 future generations." 



Nature & Faune Vol. 23, Issue 1 



33 



