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Understanding consumer demand for bushmeat in urban centers of Cameroon with a focus on pangolin species

Nguyen, Linh Bao, Fossung, Etogekwe Esua, Affana Nkoa, Camille, Humle, Tatyana (2021) Understanding consumer demand for bushmeat in urban centers of Cameroon with a focus on pangolin species. Conservation Science and Practice, 3 (6). ISSN 2578-4854. (doi:10.1111/csp2.419) (KAR id:88889)

Abstract

Bushmeat consumption remains significant in urban Central Africa. Increasing urbanization has fueled bushmeat trade and become a threat to endangered species like the pangolin. Behavioral change interventions may help reduce demand for pangolins in urban centers. However, there is still a lack of adequate locally-specific research on consumer behavior and drivers of demand to effectively guide such interventions. Our study addressed this knowledge gap through semistructured interviews to investigate consumer preferences and bushmeat consumption habits and perceptions of 597 participants in Bertoua and Ebolowa, Cameroon. Bushmeat, in general, was positively perceived as a tasty, healthy, and luxurious item that meets cultural needs, while domestic meat was negatively perceived as an unhealthy and intensively processed product. The biggest barriers to bushmeat consumption were its illegality and high price. Pangolin was among the most desired types of bushmeat. Nearly half of pangolin consumers were willing to pay more for a pangolin meal. Despite being fully protected by national laws, pangolins were consistently found in local bushmeat markets and restaurants, suggesting the ineffectiveness in law enforcement and/or communication with the public about the legal protection and current status of pangolins. Our findings provide an understanding of sociocultural consumer behavior and drivers that can help guide bushmeat demand reduction interventions in urban centers of Cameroon.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/csp2.419
Uncontrolled keywords: Central Africa, demand reduction, pangolin, urban bushmeat consumption, wildmeat
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Tatyana Humle
Date Deposited: 29 Jun 2021 08:52 UTC
Last Modified: 14 Nov 2022 23:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/88889 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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