Dear Folks,
here is an article on African trade in bush meats. The report mentions that people are forced to use bush meats during periods of drought, etc., when other foods are available. The report also states that the food is cheaper than domestic foods. The ethical issue that could be raised is how can endangered species be protected and managed so they are not further endangered by exploitation? Does the more affluent nations of the world have obligations to conserve species that occur in dependent nations? Should the affluent nations forgive repayment of loans to countries that are endangering habitats and wildlife?
Who is responsible in the end to halt unsustainable trade in wildlife? Do these species have economic importance that would improve the economies of these countries if poaching and hunting were reduced? One example where hunting must stop is of course is the hunting of the Gorilla.
choa,
john foster
Consumption of Bush Meat Wiping Out African Wildlife
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 1, 2000 (ENS) - The use of and trade in meat from wild animals, called bush meat, is one of the greatest direct causes of the decline of wild animal populations in many parts of Africa, according to a new comprehensive survey of seven east and southern African countries.
A report released today by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring arm of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The World Conservation Union (IUCN), urged that integrated action be taken to halt unsustainable use of bush meat, including promoting initiatives to transfer wildlife ownership to land holders and securing land tenure.
TRAFFIC conducted the most extensive review ever undertaken of trade and utilization of wild meat in seven east and southern African countries - Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
A total of 23 surveys were conducted, of which 16 were focused on illegal use of wildlife. The study was sponsored by the European Commission.
The report, "Food For Thought: The Utilization of Wild Meat in Eastern and Southern Africa," recognizes that bush meat is also a valuable source of cheap protein and cash income for many human populations struggling for survival amidst poverty and frequent famine.
Thousands of species - from insects, rodents and birds, to buffalo, elephants, and impalas - are used as bush meat throughout the areas studied.
Poacher's bag of one trap night in a remote forest area (forêt classée de Mabi) in South-East Ivory Coast includes a giant forest rat and a brush-tailed porcupine. (picture)
TRAFFIC East and Southern Africa senior program officer and author of the report, Rob Barnett, revealed that many populations of these species are declining rapidly as a result of increasing hunting pressure. "Use of wildlife for food in the region is one of the main factors driving declines in wild animal populations," he said.
"Hunting is moving into protected areas, where bush meat harvest is now the number one illegal activity," Barnett said. "Even smaller species are being targeted as a result of declining populations of larger game.
With declining populations of more popular species such as buffalo, hunters have now turned their attention to once taboo and totem species such as zebra and hippo, Barnett warns. "What was once subsistence use of these species is also becoming a much more commercialized trade."
Traditional hunter/gatherers, rural farming and herding communities consume bush meat and it is also eaten in urban centers in the region.
Leg of an animal caught in a long line snare. These snares are used to increase catch numbers. (picture)
It is the poorer households that are most reliant on wild meat. Bush meat was found to be much cheaper than domestic meat in six of the seven countries surveyed - 75 percent cheaper than domestic meat in Zimbabwe.
During times of economic hardship, drought and famine, bush meat is often the only food available.
"Peak hunting periods coincide with dry season drought months, as vegetation is less dense and wildlife searching for watering holes are easier to locate and hunt," Barnett explained. "Hence, supply peaks during times of hardship, and constitutes an important drought and famine coping strategy for the majority in the rural areas surveyed."
It is also a vital source of income in many communities in the region. "In the western Serengeti of Tanzania, for example, more than a third of traders rely on bush meat as their sole source of income." Barnett said.
Man whose cooking pot was filled with wild meat on the day this photo was taken. (Photo Rob Barnett courtesy TRAFFIC)
TRAFFIC predicts that demand for bush meat will continue to rise because human populations in the region are increasing, and standards of living are generally falling.
This demand will contribute to a reduction in wildlife populations. "Depletion of wildlife valued as a source of meat is likely to have a negative impact not only on a huge variety of species, but also importantly on food security, and the livelihoods and nutritional status of local communities in all countries of the region," Barnett says.
TRAFFIC predicts that demand for bush meat will continue to rise because human populations in the region are increasing, and standards of living are generally falling.
This demand will contribute to a reduction in wildlife populations. "Depletion of wildlife valued as a source of meat is likely to have a negative impact not only on a huge variety of species, but also importantly on food security, and the livelihoods and nutritional status of local communities in all countries of the region," Barnett says.
_______________________________________________________________________
Free Unlimited Internet Access! Try it now!
http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/altavista/index.html
_______________________________________________________________________
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|
