A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the alarming rate of species threatened by unsustainable hunting in West and Central Africa. The report, titled "Des forêts pour l’alimentation : nourrir les populations, préserver la planète," reveals that 31% of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in the region are at risk of extinction due to unsustainable hunting practices. This finding is based on regional data and assessments by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The commercialization of wild meat has contributed significantly to the threat faced by these species. Between 1991 and 2020, the proportion of hunted animals sold commercially increased from 34% to 74%, accompanied by a rise in the use of firearms for hunting. A meta-analysis of 83 sites in West and Central Africa identified over 140 species from 33 orders being hunted, with mammals accounting for 93% of the biomass harvested. On average, 57% of the hunted animals were intended for sale, with a significant portion being transported to large cities for consumption as a luxury product or for cultural and social reasons.
The report also notes a significant shift in the types of animals being hunted. The ratio of rodents to ungulates in hunted animals increased from 2.5 to 17.1 between 1991 and 2020, indicating that hunters are capturing proportionally more small animals than large mammals. This change is used as an indicator of ecological depletion of large species. The findings suggest that unsustainable hunting practices are having a profound impact on the region's biodiversity.
Despite the threat posed by unsustainable hunting, wild meat remains a crucial source of food and income for many rural communities in West and Central Africa. In the Congo Basin, which includes a large part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, approximately five million tons of wild meat are consumed annually. The report highlights the need to address the issue of unsustainable hunting without abruptly removing a vital source of nutrition and income for poor rural populations.
The FAO report emphasizes the complexity of the issue, requiring a balanced approach that addresses both the conservation of threatened species and the needs of rural communities dependent on wild meat. The organization is advocating for sustainable hunting practices that can help maintain the region's biodiversity while ensuring the continued availability of wild meat as a food source.
The findings of the report are based on data from West and Central Africa as a whole and do not provide specific estimates for the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the country's significant portion of the Congo Basin and its rich biodiversity make it an essential area for conservation efforts.
The report's authors stress the need for urgent action to address the issue of unsustainable hunting in West and Central Africa. This will require cooperation among governments, conservation organizations, and local communities to develop and implement effective conservation strategies that balance human needs with the need to protect threatened species.
Key points
- 31% of West and Central African mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are threatened by unsustainable hunting practices.
