Conservation strategies for understanding and combating the primate bushmeat trade on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea is among the important places in Africa for the conservation of primates, but a cultural preference for bushmeat and a lack of effective law enforcement has encouraged commercial bushmeat hunting, threatening the survival of the remaining primate population. For over 13 years, we collected bushmeat market data in the Malabo market, recording over 35,000 primate carcasses, documenting "mardi gras" consumption patterns, seasonal carcass availability, and negative effects resulting from government intervention. We also conducted forest surveys throughout Bioko's two protected areas in order to localize and quantify primate populations and hunting pressure. Using these data, we were able to document the significant negative impact bushmeat hunting had on monkey populations, estimate which species are most vulnerable to hunting, and develop ecological niche models to approximate the distribution of each of Bioko's diurnal primate species. These results also have allowed for the identification of primate hotspots, such as the critically important southwest region of the Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve, and thus, priority areas for conservation on Bioko, leading to more comprehensive conservation recommendations. Current and future efforts now focus on bridging the gap between investigators and legislators in order to develop and effectively implement a management plan for Bioko's Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve and to develop a targeted educational campaign to reduce demand by changing consumer attitudes toward bushmeat. Using this multidisciplinary approach, informed by biological, socioeconomic, and cultural research, there may yet be a positive future for the primates of Bioko.

Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters

“…; Cronin et al. ). However, bushmeat provides a valuable source of food and income for rural populations who are often economically vulnerable (e.g., Fa et al.…”

“…We evaluated segmentation approaches with a case study of bushmeat hunting in the Gola Forest, Liberia. Hunting reduction is a conservation priority for many sites across the tropics (Benítez-López et al 2017;Cronin et al 2017). However, bushmeat provides a valuable source of food and income for rural populations who are often economically vulnerable (e.g., Fa et al 2003).…”

Multidisciplinary studies of wildlife trade in primates: Challenges and priorities

“…The impact of hunting on primate populations at local scales has been demonstrated by multiple studies in multiple regions (e.g., da Silva et al, ; de Thoisy, Renoux, & Julliot, ; Kümpel, Milner‐Gulland, Rowcliffe, & Cowlishaw, ; Linder & Oates, ; Nijman, ; Nuñez‐Iturri & Howe, ; Nuñez‐Iturri, Olsson, & Howe, ; Peres, ; Remis & Kpanou, ; Rosin & Swamy, ; Rovero, Mtui, Kitegile, & Nielsen, ). Hunting of primates at local scales is predominately related to supporting subsistence needs, while also providing a source of income (Alves, Souto, & Barboza, ; Brashares, Golden, Weinbaum, Barrett, & Okello, ; Cronin et al, ; Linder, Sawyer, & Brashares, ; Nekaris, Shepherd, Starr, & Nijman, ). In addition to hunting for food, other reasons for primate hunting include cultural values, particularly in some animistic societies where non‐human primates form integral parts of human mythologies or even identities.…”

“…Multidisciplinary studies also enable researchers to effectively analyze data collected at different time scales, (e.g., weeks, months, years) with appropriate context. Cronin et al () combined 13 years of bushmeat market data on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea with ecological surveys conducted over a 1 year period and found a significant negative impact with increases in bushmeat hunting and primate population decline in species such as Pennant's red colobus. Using this methodology, they were able to estimate which species were most vulnerable to hunting, and develop ecological niche models to approximate the current distribution of each of Bioko's diurnal primate species to identify priority conservation areas and target a local educational campaign to particular human populations to reduce demand.…”

“…Iterative exploration places into dialogue the different assumptions or hypotheses derived from data of one discipline with those developed from another discipline. This step in study design is key, as several studies mentioned above have shown how assessments based only on ecological or social data alone may lead to divergent or limited interpretations of primate trade systems (e.g., Cronin et al, ; Parathian & Maldonado, ; Setchell et al, ). Blair et al () argue that applying SESF for the design of studies in primate trade systems will elevate research toward a better understanding of the drivers of primate trade in different contexts, leading to richer and more context‐specific recommendations for primate trade management (e.g., as in Cronin et al, ; Setchell et al, ).…”