Regional patterns of wild animal hunting in African tropical forests

Ingram, Daniel J., Froese, Graden Z. L., Carroll, Daire, Bürkner, Paul C., Maisels, Fiona, Abugiche, Ajonina S., Allebone-Webb, Sophie, Balmford, Andrew, Cornelis, Daniel, Dethier, Marc, and others. (2025) Regional patterns of wild animal hunting in African tropical forests. Nature Sustainability, 8 (2). pp. 202-214. ISSN 2398-9629. (doi:10.1038/s41893-024-01494-5) (KAR id:108377)

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01494-5

Abstract

Wildlife contributes to the diets, livelihoods and socio-cultural activities of people worldwide; however, unsustainable hunting is a major pressure on wildlife. Regional assessments of the factors associated with hunting offtakes are needed to understand the scale and patterns of wildlife exploitation relevant for policy. We synthesized 83 studies across West and Central Africa to identify the factors associated with variation in offtake. Our models suggest that offtake per hunter per day is greater for hunters who sell a greater proportion of their offtake; among non-hunter-gatherers; and in areas that have better forest condition, are closer to protected areas and are less accessible from towns. We present evidence that trade and gun hunting have increased since 1991 and that areas more accessible from towns and with worse forest condition may be depleted of larger-bodied wildlife. Given the complex factors associated with regional hunting patterns, context-specific hunting management is key to achieving a sustainable future.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1038/s41893-024-01494-5
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions:	Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders:	UK Research and Innovation (https://ror.org/001aqnf71)
Depositing User:	Daniel Ingram
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2025 15:33 UTC
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2025 10:52 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/108377 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Ingram, Daniel J..

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5843-220X
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