Jyoti Arora

Bushmeat refers to the meat of a wide range of African wild animals that is often sold in markets either raw or minimally processed thereby enhancing the risk of zoonotic diseases in humans. To mitigate these risks, most African countries have implemented strict laws and regulations prohibiting the hunting and sale of bushmeat. Nevertheless, due to weak enforcement, bushmeat markets remain prevalent across both urban and rural areas in Africa. Hunting and selling wildlife contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods for many rural communities in Africa. However, the large-scale harvesting of wild animals has led to the phenomenon of 'empty forests,' where populations of large mammal species have drastically declined. The expansion of road networks into forested areas has exacerbated this issue by granting hunters access to previously remote wildlife populations. Close interactions between humans-such as loggers, poachers, and tourists-and wildlife have increased the spread of zoonotic diseases, including Ebola, HIV/AIDS, the Bubonic Plague, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Despite the associated health risks, the hunting and consumption of bushmeat hold deep cultural significance in Central Africa. Due to these strong cultural and traditional beliefs, imposing an outright ban on wild animal hunting may prove challenging. However, a more targeted approach—such as prohibiting the hunting of vulnerable species like gorillas, which are known to transmit the Ebola virus to humans-could be more effective. Meanwhile, the regulated hunting of more resilient species, such as duikers and porcupines, could be considered as a compromise. Ultimately, the environmental impact of the bushmeat trade on biodiversity, coupled with the significant risks to human health, necessitates careful reconsideration of its consumption. Given these concerns, individuals must weigh the potential dangers before consuming bushmeat, whether it be a fresh porcupine tail or a chimpanzee head.

DOI: 10.22271/23940522.2025.v12.i2a.1086

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