Identifying conservation opportunities among Malinké bushmeat hunters of Guinea, West Africa

Sharon Pailler, John E. Wagner, John G. McPeak, Donald W. Floyd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bushmeat hunting plays an important role in many rural African households; however, hunting pressures are growing, threatening the survival of many bushmeat species. Wildlife resources are rapidly dwindling; yet effective conservation strategies have been difficult to develop and implement. Many dimensions of bushmeat resource use have not been sufficiently explored and are consequently ignored in conservation interventions. To improve understanding of hunting practice, we conducted semistructured interviews with 74 hunters in three Malinké villages in Guinea, West Africa regarding motivations to hunt and hunting processes. In addition, we investigated the local bushmeat trade in a nearby city. Using data from previous studies, and Robinson and Redford's (1991) model, we find that Red-flanked duiker, bushbuck and buffalo are unsustainably harvested. Malinké hunters' perspectives offer both opportunities and obstacles for conservation which will be valuable for the development of conservation strategies in this area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)761-774
Number of pages14
JournalHuman Ecology
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Keywords

  • Bushmeat
  • Conservation
  • Guinea
  • Hunting
  • Malinké

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology
  • Anthropology
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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