The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation
Data on species trade profiles and volumes of wild animals on sale in local markets can provide useful insights into the bushmeat trade, enabling identification of priorities for management and conservation planning. We monitored bushmeat traded in three markets (Sandema, Chiana and Fumbisi) in the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Oryx |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605322000096/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797754625177157632 |
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| author | Hannah N.K. Sackey James McNamara E.J. Milner-Gulland Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu |
| author_facet | Hannah N.K. Sackey James McNamara E.J. Milner-Gulland Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu |
| author_sort | Hannah N.K. Sackey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Data on species trade profiles and volumes of wild animals on sale in local markets can provide useful insights into the bushmeat trade, enabling identification of priorities for management and conservation planning. We monitored bushmeat traded in three markets (Sandema, Chiana and Fumbisi) in the Upper East Region of Ghana during October 2018–October 2019. More than 80% of carcasses sold were amphibians (frogs). Species composition and volumes of bushmeat traded varied significantly across markets. Bushmeat sales were highest during the dry season (75% of total biomass traded). The bulk (60% of total biomass) traded in the local markets was transported long distances for resale in major urban markets in southern Ghana. Large-bodied species were comparatively low in number and sold almost exclusively for resale in southern markets. This study highlights the importance of frog meat as an affordable protein source for consumers and as income for traders in an economically deprived region. Seasonal fluctuations of bushmeat sales demonstrated the importance of bushmeat as part of a diversified livelihood strategy for hunters and traders. Furthermore, this study underscores the significant role that long-distance trade networks play as key drivers of the bushmeat trade in these parts of northern Ghana, and highlights the risks posed by current extraction levels for species conservation in this understudied region. Our recommendations include investigating the potential of sustainable amphibian production, improving protection of particular vulnerable species and of the protected areas in the region and exploring alternative livelihoods during the peak hunting season. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:35:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f1655cab64674e7ab4779c5e19e1fcc0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0030-6053 1365-3008 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:35:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oryx |
| spelling | doaj.art-f1655cab64674e7ab4779c5e19e1fcc02023-08-04T12:01:29ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-30082023-03-015721622710.1017/S0030605322000096The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservationHannah N.K. Sackey0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4695-171XJames McNamara1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1433-9569E.J. Milner-Gulland2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0324-2710Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3915-3341Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research, P.O. Box LG 67, Legon, Accra, GhanaConservation Research Consultants Ltd, South Molton, UKDepartment of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKCentre for Biodiversity Conservation Research, P.O. Box LG 67, Legon, Accra, GhanaData on species trade profiles and volumes of wild animals on sale in local markets can provide useful insights into the bushmeat trade, enabling identification of priorities for management and conservation planning. We monitored bushmeat traded in three markets (Sandema, Chiana and Fumbisi) in the Upper East Region of Ghana during October 2018–October 2019. More than 80% of carcasses sold were amphibians (frogs). Species composition and volumes of bushmeat traded varied significantly across markets. Bushmeat sales were highest during the dry season (75% of total biomass traded). The bulk (60% of total biomass) traded in the local markets was transported long distances for resale in major urban markets in southern Ghana. Large-bodied species were comparatively low in number and sold almost exclusively for resale in southern markets. This study highlights the importance of frog meat as an affordable protein source for consumers and as income for traders in an economically deprived region. Seasonal fluctuations of bushmeat sales demonstrated the importance of bushmeat as part of a diversified livelihood strategy for hunters and traders. Furthermore, this study underscores the significant role that long-distance trade networks play as key drivers of the bushmeat trade in these parts of northern Ghana, and highlights the risks posed by current extraction levels for species conservation in this understudied region. Our recommendations include investigating the potential of sustainable amphibian production, improving protection of particular vulnerable species and of the protected areas in the region and exploring alternative livelihoods during the peak hunting season.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605322000096/type/journal_articleAmphibiabushmeat tradefrogsGhanalong-distance trademarket surveyswildlife conservation |
| spellingShingle | Hannah N.K. Sackey James McNamara E.J. Milner-Gulland Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation Oryx Amphibia bushmeat trade frogs Ghana long-distance trade market surveys wildlife conservation |
| title | The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| title_full | The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| title_fullStr | The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| title_short | The bushmeat trade in northern Ghana: market dynamics, drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| title_sort | bushmeat trade in northern ghana market dynamics drivers of trade and implications for conservation |
| topic | Amphibia bushmeat trade frogs Ghana long-distance trade market surveys wildlife conservation |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605322000096/type/journal_article |
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