Ethnicity and Perceptions of Bushmeat Hunting Inside Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea-Bissau

Abstract

West African managed forests are zones where domestic stock does not thrive, and bushmeat continues to be a major source of animal protein for many people. Given rising human populations across Africa the harvesting and trade in bushmeat is unsustainable, resulting in dramatic declines of local populations of wild animals. Accessing local villagers’ perceptions on bushmeat hunting, consumption and trade is important for gaining a better understanding of attitudes towards wildlife in the protected area of Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea-Bissau. Positive attitudes regarding wildlife may ultimately determine if there is the capacity for sustaining populations of wild animals within LCNP boundaries. Thus, our study of perceptions and attitudes on bushmeat hunting, consumption and trade on the part of the Beafada community – the major ethnic group present in the LCNP (77.4%) – and the Balanta – the second most populous group (8.7%) - was important for understanding how local communities will influence the future of wildlife inside LCNP. Results come from a range of complementary qualitative and quantitative approaches consisting of: i) survey questionnaires (N=258); ii) in-depth interviews (N=40 men); iii) six focus-groups (N=62 women); and, iv) non-participant observation. Our results has shown that the Beafada as professional hunters rely on bushmeat hunting as a source of protein but particularly as a source of income while the Balanta rely on bushmeat mainly as a source of protein. It was expected that these two subsistence groups would value and perceive wildlife differently, although gender tended to express the most distinct differences in attitudes. Religion also appeared to underlie some major differences in the local preferences of species for consumption. Hunting and the bushmeat trade represent major threats to wildlife in Guinea-Bissau; understanding their contribution to livelihoods and perceptions of protected areas may help ensure the persistence of wildlife inside LCNP.