1. Fleshing a Future: Bushmeat Solutions and Reality
Prof. John E. Fa
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Jersey
Fleshing a Future: Bushmeat Solutions and Reality

2. Congo Basin Forests Moist forests: only 7% in Africa
Atlantic
Ocean
Moist forests: only 7% in Africa
Total 5.3 million km2
80% in the Congo Basin
DRC
Extent of Moist Forests

3. Forest Humans
1 person/km2
Humans have lived in the Congo Basin forests for millenia but moist forests can support only around one person/km2. Current human densities are too high.

4. Future Populations
(x 106)
Human populations in some Congo Basin countries will rise exponentially. Total population for the region will be >200 million by 2050.

5. The Bushmeat Crisis
The bushmeat crisis epitomises the need to balance wildlife protection with factors such as poverty, health, and food
security.

6. Hunted Mammals 3 20 40 60 80
No. of species 1 2 4 5 6 7 8
log Body Mass (g)
Hunted
Non-hunted
Mammals contribute to >80% of all bushmeat hunted. Over half of all mammals (100+ species) found in African moist forests, are hunted.

7. Harvestable Biomass Lopé Forest, Gabon Guenons, Black Colobus,
Elephants – kg/km2
Diurnal primates – kg/km2
Pigs – kg/km2
Duikers – kg/km2
Squirrels – 4-7 kg/km2
Total – 1,003-5,864 kg/km2
Guenons, Black Colobus,
Squirrels
Small ungulates, Mandrill, Apes, Pigs
Large ungulates, Elephant

8. Hunting Patterns
n = 36 settlements
In studied forest settlements, on average, 10,000 kg of bushmeat, from 2,000 animals, of 16 species, are hunted in a year.

9. Hunting Patterns
An average hunter may extract around 1,000 kg of mammal biomass in a year, but some can take up to 8,000 kgs.

10. Hunting Patterns
As larger-bodied species are hunted out, most species taken are smaller prey.

11. Extraction Levels More than 100 mammal species hunted
From million tonnes extracted
Most species hunted unsustainably
Evidence of local extinctions appearing

12. Bushmeat Protein
At current rates of extraction, protein from bushmeat will diminish significantly in the next 50 years

13. Alternative Protein In Central Africa,
domestic protein supply has fallen dramatically since the mid 1970’s
Source: FAO

14. Alternative Protein Current and future
domestic protein production is not likely to supply required amounts in all Congo Basin countries

15. Protein Future
a) No change
b) Sustainable Harvest

16. Bushmeat Prices
Accra, Ghana
Bushmeat prices can increase dramatically if demand rises, often irrespective of availability. Even less priced meats can become very expensive if numbers on sale drop.

17. Bushmeat Prices
Urban
Price differentials between bushmeat and other meats, such as domestic meats like beef, may differ according to localities, e.g. between rural and urban markets.
Rural

18. Reduce human population Increase Economic Stability
Solutions
Increase alternative protein/food supply
Reduce human population
Make PAs work
Enhance agricultural efficiency
Make food prices accessible
Increase real wages
Minimise hunting
Increase Economic Stability
Prohibit logging facilitationof bushmeat extraction
Food Security
Wildlife
People

19. Conclusions
Bushmeat is the toughest challenge yet for human-centred conservation.
Bushmeat is deeply embedded in the general economy, is widely distributed, and involves many players in a complex commodity chain.
Policy options must consider economics, cultural issues, employment opportunities for stake-holders and how costs and benefits of bushmeat are distributed.
Conservationists must collaborate with development agencies to find a solution.