Rein in bushmeat trade, experts say

The commercial sale of wild species has resulted in the exploitation of wild and often threatened species, such as the gorilla

April 6, 1999
Web posted at: 1:30 PM EST

Wildlife experts say it is time to rein in the commercial bushmeat trade in Africa because of its non-sustainable impact on threatened and endangered species such as gorilla, chimpanzee, forest elephants and small antelope.

Bushmeat refers to the meat of wild animals, particularly primates. It has been a staple in the diet of forest-dwelling African peoples for centuries. However, the commercial sale of wild species has resulted in the exploitation of wild and often threatened species.

On Feb. 19, 34 experts representing 28 organizations and agencies assembled at the offices of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Silver Springs, Md., to discuss the commercial bushmeat crisis. Participants in the meeting represented major conservation organizations, zoological parks, animal welfare advocates and the bio-medical research community.

"This meeting of international experts was a major step forward in addressing this crisis," said Sydney Butler, executive director of AZA.

Primates, elephants and small antelope are among the animals slaughtered and sold for their meat in the markets of equatorial Africa. Extensive logging has opened up the forest areas and provided avenues for hunters to transport their kills to the city markets. Logging companies are also not adequately provisioning the workers in their camps, all of which is contributing to the non-sustainable use of wildlife, according to AZA.

"If current unsustainable rates of exploitation continue, the commercial bushmeat trade will decimate, if not eliminate, some endangered species such as great apes, forest elephants and other fauna upon which the health of forest ecosystems depend," according to an AZA statement.

The coalition meeting developed the Consensus Statement that acknowledges the vast number of problems that need to be solved, and the variety of approaches each group is currently taking, or may be willing to undertake in the future.

The groups meeting at the AZA identified several means of addressing the crisis including:

• The need for a wide array of mechanisms for public education in Africa and throughout the world.
• The need for governments to redouble their commitment to conservation and sustainable development in Africa.
• The need for governments, corporations and foundations to provide human and financial resources to seek workable solutions.
• The need for active enforcement of wildlife laws and financial support to maintain a "protected-area" system.
• The need for logging companies, mining companies and other extractive industries to take responsibility for the growth of the unregulated bushmeat trade and begin by provisioning their camps so that hunting is sustainable and is restricted to non-endangered species.

"The task force will be working to better define both the immediate, as well as the medium and long-term components of this campaign. A coordinator will be hired, housed at the AZA, and will be funded and directed by the committee. The coalition hopes to guide and influence any necessary legislation, as well as take an active role in educating the public both here and hopefully in Africa."

"The consensus statement and the wide array of groups supporting it shows just how serious this problem is," said Stewart Hudson, executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute in the U.S. "Of course the only true mark of success is whether anything changes on the ground in Africa, and to that end the task force that we have formed will need help from foundations, governments and a wide range of individuals and experts the world over."

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