An Evaluation of Bush Meat Harvest in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, North West Region, Cameroon

Bush meat flourish local and international markets in and around the Kimbi Fungom National Park with increasing national and international demands. Despite this, very little or nothing is done to eradicate this bush meat syndrome. This project is designed to evaluate bush meat harvest and method used in and around the park. To achieve this, the study employed the use of questionnaires, interviews, field observation and focus group discussion to collect the data from February, 2021 to June, 2021. Competent field assistants and community guides were purposefully selected and trained on the collection of socio-economic data pertaining to bushmeat harvest. This was done during the sensitization meetings in 10 communities held in February 2021. A questionnaire and interview guide was designed. The questionnaire was designed in two parts; part one captured bushmeat markets, routes and supply chain while part two captured the quantity of bushmeat harvested in the area per season. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered in the 10 communities. We selected one hunter from each village to lead the research team based on their popularity and position held in the hunting circle. Results revealed that a total of 1837 animals were harvested during the study period. From the total number, 52.15% were harvested in the rainy season while 47.85% were harvested in the dry season. The highest harvested species was the cane rate (417), porcupine (343) and pangolins (292). Gunshots and snare wires were identified as the main method employed by hunters in the harvest of the bush meat in the park. It was recommended among other things that in as much as bush meat harvest carried out in the park, government and conservation initiatives should increase the security of threatened, endangered and critically endangered species in the park.