Recipes for Survival_English_tcm46-28192

WSPA/APE ALLIANCERECIPES FOR SURVIVAL4.2 Scale and distribution of the problemEvidence suggests that primates of international conservation value are being huntedto dangerously low levels and harvesting rates have been recorded at up to 28 timesthe sustainable level (Fa et al, 1995). Seven million red colobus are killed in CentralAfrica each year (Fa & Peres, 2001, cited by Bennett et alI, 2002). Local extinctionshave been recorded in Preuss’ red colobus (Waltert et al, 2002), as has the completeextinction in 2000 of Miss Waldron’s red colobus (Whitfield, 2003; Oates et al, 2000).In West and Central Africa, primates comprise 15% of market carcasses, with greatapes constituting 1% (Stein et al, 2002b). In terms of biomass, however, thesignificance of great apes is higher (Stein et al, 2002b).It is likely that the proportion of ape meat at markets is underestimated for a numberof reasons. Vendors are usually aware that it is illegal to hunt endangered species; thepreservation process of smoking meat conceals its origin from all but DNA analysis(Stein et al, 2002b). The difficulty in transporting large ape carcasses and preferencefor their meat could mean that they are eaten by villagers rather than traded (Bowen-Jones & Pendry, 1999). Furthermore, bushmeat is often transported regionally andacross borders, making it difficult to track its origin (Stein et al, 2002b).4.3 Exacerbating factors4.3.1 Hunting techniquesThe use of firearms can increase harvest rates by 10 times that of snare-based hunting(Wildlife Conservation Society, 1996), though gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos haveall been recorded as having been injured or killed from non-discriminatory snares(Bowen-Jones & Pendry, 1999; Thompson-Handler et al, 1995).In Korup National Park, South-west Cameroon, hunting with dogs increases huntingsuccess, particularly for endangered drills, which are easily driven up trees and killedin large numbers at a time (Waltert et al, 2002). Bonobos are hunted in much the sameway (Lee et al, 1988).Primates are more expensive to hunt than other species that are easily snared. Whilethe availability of guns has made primate hunting lucrative, each animal that is shotcosts a shotgun shell (BCTF, 2003).4.3.2 Armed conflictOf 23 protected areas worldwide containing great apes, two thirds have been affectedby military conflicts in the past decade (Draulans & Van Krunkelsven, 2002).4.3.3 Economic importanceIn Korup National Park, Cameroon, 7% of hunters’ income was generated from trade indrills, Africa’s most threatened primate (Bowen-Jones & Pendry, 1999). Encounters withdrills are rare, but where they do occur, up to 30 animals can be dispatched at once(Bowen-Jones & Pendry, 1999).Chimpanzee or gorilla carcasses can be sold in Africa for the equivalent of $20 – 25.With annual incomes at well under $1,000, the hunting of apes is clearly aneconomically rational practice in the short term for hunters (Marshall et al, 2000).In Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic (CAR), bushmeat is appealing becauseof its low cost – smoked gorilla can sell for as little as 25 cents per pound in a villagemarket, despite its lower availability relative to duiker (Raffaele, 1995).4.3.4 PersecutionMountain gorillas and chimpanzees have been implicated in crop-raiding incidents aswell as attacks on people. This may have resulted from animals being enticed on tocultivated land during food shortages or from habituation (deliberate or resulting fromproximity to settlements) reducing their natural fear of humans (WWF, 2003).4.3.5 The primate pet tradeUnlike most other species hunted for bushmeat, primates in general and great apes inparticular suffer from a subsidiary trade in live animals. Hunters often speculate on thevalue of these rare animals without knowing that they are difficult to sell – laws againstpurchase prevent zoos, private collecters and captive breeding centres from displayingthem (White, 2002).PRIMATE BUSHMEAT47WSPA/APE ALLIANCE46Left: Hunters'children dependon their fathers'success, butkilling gorillas isillegal. Congo(Brazzaville).