The Knowledge about the Potential Health Risks of Illegal Bushmeat Activities among Local Communities Adjacent to Western Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Establishing knowledge of local communities regarding the potential health risks of illegal bushmeat hunting and its related practices is among the essential means to developing effective conservation and public health programs. To reveal the understanding of the local people regarding the potential health risks of bushmeat consumption and handling of wildlife products, we used a semi-structured questionnaire to survey 261 households in eight villages located adjacent to the western part of Nyerere National Park. Also, we interviewed eight key informants, including conservation personnel and veterinary officers, in the study area. The proportion of local people who were unaware that handling of wildlife products and bushmeat consumption were risky behaviours towards acquiring zoonotic diseases was slightly higher (57%) than the proportion of respondents who were aware of the likely risks of zoonotic diseases from the practices. After all, the majority (83%) of local people admitted having come into contact with wildlife products, while over 70% reported having consumed bushmeat. We found that local communities living closer to the park boundaries (<15 km) have a higher likelihood of contacting wildlife products, and that community members who have lived in the area for more than ten years have experienced more contact with wildlife products than immigrants. Moreover, the age of inhabitants and length of stay were found to be the most significant factors in determining the likelihood of bushmeat consumption. Most people seemed to prefer bushmeat to domestic meat, arguing that bushmeat is far more flavorful, tender, not tainted with chemicals, and has less fat, making it safer. Our study demonstrated that local communities participate in risky practices without contemplating the health consequences that could emerge should a zoonotic disease outbreak occur. Among other strategies, we recommended conservation and public health institutions to increase awareness campaigns on the possible health risks of zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife.

Rural Livelihoods Vulnerabilities and Commercial Bushmeat Hunting Challenges in Cross River National Park, Nigeria

Biodiversity conservation in parks and protected areas in Africa in general and especially in Nigeria is seriously threatened by the explosion of commercial bushmeat hunting activities in buffer zone communities. Several fauna species are becoming endangered and the list of extinct species is increasing due to commercial bushmeat hunting activities. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, this paper assesses the livelihoods vulnerability underpinnings of commercial bushmeat hunting activities in Cross River National Park (CRNP). Results reveal that commercial bushmeat hunting activities are shaped by a vulnerability context that hinges on different elements of environmental shocks, seasonal challenges and surrounding societal trends. The paper highlights the conservation and global sustainable development implications of uncontrolled commercial bushmeat hunting practices and concludes with options on policy recommendations and future research trajectories.

Consumption of Bushmeat in Lubumbashi/DR Congo:Sociocultural Approaches

Bushmeat is frequently consumed in households in the city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Several studies in Africa show that this food is regularly consumed by rural and urban populations.This consumption is motivated by several reasons.These have never been elucidated in the city of Lubumbashi.This study aims to highlight the sociocultural aspects that justify the consumption of bushmeat in order to consider its sustainability.A survey was conducted among 1,400 households in the municipalities of the city.A questionnaire helped collect the information that was presented as a percentage.This information shows that 86.6%of the population consume monthly(41.3%)of bushmeat.This consumption is based on taste(51.7%).On the other hand,religious beliefs(29.2%)prevent this consumption.The order of the artiodactylsis is the most affected(74.2%).The recognition of the species consumed comes from the information provided by the sellers(58.5%).Bushmeat comes from the district of Haut-Katanga(35.2%).It is sold in the main markets of the city of Lubumbashi(67.9%).Bush meat is becoming an exhaustible natural resource,mechanisms and alternatives will need to be put in place to enable the sustainable conservation of wild animal species.

兽肉中硝基呋喃类残留物的检测方法

目的探讨直接测定兽肉中硝基呋喃类药物残留的方法。方法直接用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测兽肉中硝基呋喃类中的呋喃西林代谢物氨基脲(SEM),以反映药物的残留情况。结果方法回收率在81.0%～90.0%之间,相对标准偏差为13.2%;该方法与高效液相色谱法比较,结果差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论用ELISA法直接测定兽肉中呋喃西林代谢物SEM具有准确、简单和快速的优点。

Annotated checklist and fisheries interactions of cetaceans in Togo, with evidence of Antarctic minke whale in the Gulf of Guinea

Based on strandings and captures,9 cetacean species,including 6 odontocetes and 3 mysticetes,are document-ed(photos and specimens)in Togo’s coastal waters(newly-recorded species marked with an asterisk):Antarc-tic minke whale(Balaenoptera bonaerensis*),Bryde’s whale(Balaenoptera brydei or B.edeni),humpback whale(Megaptera novaeangliae),sperm whale(Physeter macrocephalus),pygmy sperm whale(Kogia brevi-ceps*),short-finned pilot whale(Globicephala macrorhynchus*),pantropical spotted dolphin(Stenella attenu-ata*),common bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus)and common dolphin Delphinus sp.An anecdotal sight-ing record for killer whale(Orcinus orca)is considered reliable.The lack of Sousa teuszii records in Togo is consistent with its apparent contemporaneous absence in Ghana.The B.bonaerensis specimen,entangled in a purse seine set on small pelagics,is a first record for the Gulf of Guinea.The occurrence of this Southern Ocean species north of the equator underscores the severe gaps in our understanding of cetacean distribution off west-ern Africa.The majority of artisanal fishermen operating in Togolese coastal waters are of Ghanaian origin and are thought to promote trade and consumption of cetacean bushmeat.Because captures are illegal,enforced with some success in the main fishing centers,covert landings of cetaceans are exceedingly difficult to moni-tor,quantify or sample.Concern is expressed about pollution of Togo’s coastal waters with heavy metals due to phosphorite mining and export from the coastal basin near Hahotoéand Kpogamé.

Changes in attitudes toward wildlife and wildlife meats in Hunan Province,central China,before and after the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak

Two surveys of opinions about wildlife conservation were carried out in Hunan Province,China,before and after the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)epidemic.Hunan is the northern neighbor of Guangdong Province,where the first SARS case was reported.The custom of consuming wild meat was not common in Hunan 30 years ago.However,in recent years,consumption of wildlife such as snakes has spread to northern China.We handed out 1300 questionnaires between 22 February and 10 May 2002,before the SARS epidemic.Survey sites included the provin-cial capital,major cities,towns,and villages in Hunan.Another 1300 questionnaires were distributed between 10 March and 10 May 2004,after the SARS epidemic.The 2004 survey covered the same sites as the 2002 survey.Questionnaire recovery rates for the 2002 and 2004 surveys were 81.2%and 84.6%,respectively.The valid return rate was 73.0%.Frog,snake,hare,and pheasant were the wild meats most frequently eaten by local people.At the time of the first survey,more than 80%of interviewees claimed to have eaten frogs.That number had reduced to 60%by the time of the second survey.Monkey,Chinese pangolin,and bear paw were the wild meats least frequently eaten.Although palm civet was suspected to be the carrier of SARS,it was interesting to note that,after the SARS epidemic,the proportion of people surveyed who ate palm civets had declined only slightly.The results of the surveys indicate a low level of conservation consciousness;however,after the SARS and bird flu epidemics,there were obvious changes in the conservation consciousness of people in Hunan Province.We recommend some measures that could be taken to change the habits of people who consume wildlife.