Factbook

Definition Bushmeat

There is no set definition of bushmeat. It is a broad term denoting meat from wild animal species.

But for some authors "bushmeat" refers to illegally harvested wild species, while legally harvested animals are referred to as "wild meat".

In some African countries it is called "game meat".

Bushmeat can be any animal species, rodents, pigs, antelopes and primates.

Many people argue that the term bushmeat should be abandoned and replaced by terms reflecting the origin of the meat, so that hunting practices and policy can be adjusted to the specific circumstances under which the meat is derived.

• There is meat that originates from abundant species, such as the grasscutter, which are usually generalist species that can survive in many different habitats, and are often hunted by farmers while at their farms.
• Meat is also derived from animals that are culled merely because there are too many individuals in a population, causing conflicts with humans. In some countries, elephants and other species are shot for this reason and the meat is sold as bushmeat.
• In some cultures, meat from a particular species is consumed, because it is believed to have medicinal properties, for example to increase fertility. The meat is not consumed on a very large scale, but merely on special occasions, or in special situations.
• Sometimes rare species such as chimpanzee are hunted. When considering policy, it is essential to make the distinction between meat derived from abundant species and from species that are rare and endangered. While some species are not over-hunted yet, other species have almost gone extinct and should be protected by law.
• There is also bushmeat which is derived from domesticated wildlife species, such as grasscutters.

The Bushmeat Crisis

In many African countries there is not sufficient protein derived either from livestock products such as meat, eggs and milk, or from fish. Besides that, rural people often take the more readily available and cheaper bushmeat. Due to population growth and long-term over-exploitation of wildlife populations, many species are now liable to go extinct. The unsustainable harvest and consequent depletion of wildlife poses a threat to food security and the future livelihood of people. The hunting and consumption of bushmeat, particularly primates, could cause diseases such as Ebola amongst humans, and also lead to new viral diseases if viruses infecting primates cross over to human hosts.

That is why many call the bushmeat situation a crisis. If things do not change rapidly, this could have severe consequences for humans and for wildlife.

Please take a look at the 'links' page for other organizations concerned with bushmeat.