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Use of native animals by local communities in Madagascar

Robinson, Janine E, Raharimalala, Jessica, Bicknell, Jake E., St John, Freya A.V., Griffiths, Richard A., Razafimanahaka, Julie H., Gardner, Charlie J. (2022) Use of native animals by local communities in Madagascar. Environmental Challenges, 8 . Article Number 100577. E-ISSN 2667-0100. (doi:10.1016/j.envc.2022.100577) (KAR id:99100)

Abstract

Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot, yet its wildlife is under immense threat from habitat loss and other anthropogenic pressures. To tackle this, Madagascar has implemented new environmental legislation, including rapid expansion of the protected area network. Many new protected areas permit sustainable extraction of natural resources by local communities, but little is known about how and why local people use biodiversity, particularly animal wildlife. We conducted a rapid appraisal of animal use by 236 households across Madagascar's rural Moramanga district to explore which wild faunal species are used by local people and for what purpose. Our results document a wide range of uses attributed to familiar wildlife groups, including lemurs, tenrecs, birds, geckos, chameleons, frogs and invertebrates. Uses include food, trade, medicine, and pest control among others. We conclude that conservation decisions concerning sustainable use in relation to livelihoods require an understanding of both the diversity of species used and the diversity of uses of species by local communities.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.envc.2022.100577
Projects: University of Kent PhD Scholarship Darwin Initiative (project 19-014)
Uncontrolled keywords: biodiversity conservation; local communities; protected areas; sustainable use; wildlife trade
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Chester Zoo (https://ror.org/01ysrp540)
Depositing User: Jake Bicknell
Date Deposited: 12 Dec 2022 23:12 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/99100 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Robinson, Janine E.

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Bicknell, Jake E..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6831-627X
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Griffiths, Richard A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5533-1013
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Gardner, Charlie J..

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