WILDMEAT interventions database: A new database of interventions addressing unsustainable wild meat hunting, consumption and trade

• DOI: 10.1111/aje.13000
• Publication Date: 2022-03-25T14:39:04Z
• Authors: Jasmin Willis; Daniel J. Ingram; Katharine Abernethy; Della Kemalasari; Usman Muchlish; Yahya Sampurna; Donald Midoko Iponga; Lauren Coad
• Keywords: Wildlife trade; Bushmeat; Overexploitation

Wild meat has long been used as a source of food and income by many communities across the tropics (Ingram et al., 2021). Recently, however, growing human populations increasing commercial trade to urban markets have driven up demand prices for wild products led unsustainable levels wildlife harvesting in places (Coad 2019). Overexploitation linked significantly reduced (Benítez-López 2017) increased extinction risk medium large-bodied species (Dirzo 2014). The loss these poses security risks those dependent on livelihoods (Ingram, 2020), disproportionately impacting poorest households whose reliance resource is greatest (Nielsen 2018). Despite clear need manage protect ecosystems they live in, management poor areas, others, absent 2021; Wicander & Coad, urgent sake both local means that varied interventions implemented with aim sustainability use. Management responsibility can rest different actors, from central governments (which often contract nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) support their management) private sector concessionaries (e.g. timber companies), or devolved directly wildlife-hunting communities. Although goals may be similar—sustainable livelihood security—the range selected, resources invested expertise available differ vastly. However, effectiveness generally held back an insufficient understanding population biology, complexities managing multispecies harvests, weak inadequate laws protecting wildlife, low enforcement capacity, unclear user rights, lack suitable alternative proteins revenues rural areas high 2019; Ingram Furthermore, details conservation development outcomes remain unpublished (Wicander As result, there vast knowledge gap which impedes researchers practitioners learning experiences lessons previous projects. Here, we outline creation database projects designed reduce, render sustainable, hunting, consumption meat, starting conducted Central Africa. We then discuss patterns trends studies collated research gaps revealed its compilation. build this new provide recommendations future within context recent discussions surrounding trade. specifically focussed identifying Africa, including Burundi, Cameroon, African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda São Tomé Príncipe. A selection publicly accessible databases websites major NGOs donors (including World Wide Fund Nature (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Rufford Foundation Global Environment Facility) were searched using keywords ('wild meat'; 'wildmeat'; 'bushmeat'; 'bush 'viande de brousse') identify active between 2000 2021 Africa (Appendix 1). In addition, provided USFWS- USAID-funded projects, organisations. Eligible aims included reducing use sales) negative impacts specific site. consists parent (Figure An intervention project component implements certain activity, could livelihood, hunting management, reduction campaign, awareness raising activities law enforcement. Projects consist multiple at one location. Large locations split so each location separate overarching 'parent' project, example, project: Sustainable Program (SWM), consisting SWM Congo three interventions. July 2021, contained 285 had attempted improve countries (272 since 2000), 225 funded 116 donors. rarely able access information total funds allocated thus present terms number Of 10 database, identified highest Cameroon (82), followed (69) (67; Figure 2). found only four Burundi Chad. international featured most frequently implementers, although smaller scale independent also implementers. donors, United States Fish Service (USFWS) was donor (92 approximately 32%), note did acquire lists USFWS. This through Small Grant Programme (42) Agency International Development (USAID), mostly Regional (CARPE; 24 projects; 3a). implementation organisations, (WCS; 54) (WWF; 26 3b). Over half (148 projects) (alternative protein combined) reduce trade, sources, combination 4a). employing (136) (121) next frequent types intervention. activities, 47% primary awareness-raising, started all invariably until 2020 4b). overall (10 projects), especially 2010, after time faster rate, tail-off 2017. Within terrestrial animal farming, pig (Family: Suidae), snail (Order: Stylommatophora) cane rat (Thryonomys sp.), (52 when 'income' 'both' categories), closely eco-tourism (43; 5). Similarly, pig, poultry, goat sheep common (62 'protein' categories). Demand campaigns (for instance social marketing campaigns) least method (10). large already WILDMEAT Interventions Database suggests policymakers are aware importance sustainably Africa; encouraging finding. Our results demonstrate wide employed test options date. whether effort translating into long-term improvements management—in more sustainable enhanced livelihoods—is still largely unknown. individually, systematic reviews success small-scale (single site, short-term), and/or run While benefits—for instance, tailored needs community—they small budgets consequently monitor impact beyond term 2018) nor widely disseminate findings. Some examples evaluated our review Thomas-Walters 2020); very much minority. Identifying monitoring evaluation, analysing priority project. show 2005 close linear rate utilisation strategies except campaigns, became popular 2012 broad stability approach possibly result learned resulting default 'business usual' scenarios, preclude innovation change. Bank Group (2016) showed investments combat illegal totalled over US$1.3 billion dollars 2010 2016 and, protected (45% funds), funding (19%), (15%). comparison, less than 5% (World Group, 2016). Yet, key emerging drivers rapidly expanding populations, where eaten preference (East 2005; Wilkie 2005) consumption—in cases (but see van Vliet 2015)—is unlikely few implementing review, (at 2017), several large-scale, multidonor cities aimed decreasing demand, underway Nyama www.cifor.org/yangambi/nyamacongo). With percentage sub-Saharan predicted grow 41.1% 58.1% 2050 (UNPD, 2018), focus seems warranted. 'alternative livelihood' combined). These overexploitation situ, while mitigating incomes availability might hunting. It is, therefore, thoroughly considered design. implement measure either hunting/consumption/trade, wellbeing viability income/protein encouraged Therefore, needed efficacy approaches (Wright, Wright Awareness (when not aggregated 'livelihoods'), nearly activities. raising, it other interventions, likely effective compared standalone enable participants act newly acquired awareness. highlight geographical bias countries, whereby proportion concentrated Congo. concentration reflect priorities presence political situations hinder civil conflict Republic). yet proportionate use, does seem wider academic literature forest cover known such Guinea East Fargeot recommend warrants attention. Given results, conducting (1) conduct evaluation ascertain levels, (2) make designs Theory Change), framework, others learn experiences. Database, part policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders best evidence design equitable provides point collate current approaches, envisage will become hub Following expand detailed learned. If expected successfully managed people future, past must learnt. paper working create open-access base efforts based (http://www.wildmeat.org/). USFWS (grant F17AP00421-001), USAID UKRI TRADE Hub. would like received USFWS, who, along UKRI, paper. potential advantage USFWS-related carried out extensive include relevant possible minimise bias. compare but general improved standardised evaluations showcase how value sector. data findings study corresponding author upon request. continue updated http://www.wildmeat.org/.