Conservationists are concerned about the large-scale commercial hunting of slower-breeding species like apes and monkeys, as well as other endangered species for consumption and trade.
They alleged that hunting for bushmeat has decimated animal populations in Nigeria and the endemic monkey species, which are all endangered. Even forest elephants are considered vulnerable to extinction, and are targeted for their meat in some parts of the country, while elephant tusks, hacked off for the ivory trade are byproduct
WildAid’s Nigeria Representative, Dr. Mark Ofua, explained that illegal bushmeat consumption or trade in animals or their by-products whose killing, trading and consumption are banned by law. These animals are deemed as protected by these extant laws and thus their consumption is illegal.
He said: “Legal bushmeat are wild animals permitted by law to consume and there are usually animals whose conservation status is of least concern because the animals are abundant in nature and usually have a very high rate of reproduction such that their rate of replenishment is more than the rate of consumption and so are not in danger of extinction.
“Animals classified by law as illegal bushmeat are listed by such laws and one must familiarize with these laws to be on the safe side. Generally, all animals classified as endangered and listed in the CITES appendix I and II to which Nigeria is a party are illegal to consume.”
Ofua expressed the urgent need to reduce, control and even put a stop to the consumption of bushmeat as it puts humanity itself at risk. While making case for awareness creation, he said conservation biology should be taught in schools to break this cycle of ignorance.
He further urged the government to step up its role and responsibility as the guardian of the environment and regulate the killing and consumption of wild animals such as bushmeat. “Global best practices must be ensured and our markets supervised to ensure hygiene standards. Better laws should be put in place and enforcement should be emphasized”.
