The Knowledge about the Potential Health Risks of Illegal Bushmeat Activities among Local Communities Adjacent to Western Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
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Date
2023-01-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing
Abstract
Establishing knowledge of local communities regarding the potential health
risks of illegal bushmeat hunting and its related practices is among the essen-
tial means to developing effective conservation and public health programs.
To reveal the understanding of the local people regarding the potential health
risks of bushmeat consumption and handling of wildlife products, we used a
semi-structured questionnaire to survey 261 households in eight villages lo-
cated adjacent to the western part of Nyerere National Park. Also, we inter-
viewed eight key informants, including conservation personnel and veteri-
nary officers, in the study area. The proportion of local people who were un-
aware that handling of wildlife products and bushmeat consumption were
risky behaviours towards acquiring zoonotic diseases was slightly higher
(57%) than the proportion of respondents who were aware of the likely risks
of zoonotic diseases from the practices. After all, the majority (83%) of local
people admitted having come into contact with wildlife products, while over
70% reported having consumed bushmeat. We found that local communities
living closer to the park boundaries (<15 km) have a higher likelihood of
contacting wildlife products, and that community members who have lived in
the area for more than ten years have experienced more contact with wildlife
products than immigrants. Moreover, the age of inhabitants and length of
stay were found to be the most significant factors in determining the likelih-
ood of bushmeat consumption. Most people seemed to prefer bushmeat to domestic meat, arguing that bushmeat is far more flavorful, tender, not
tainted with chemicals, and has less fat, making it safer. Our study demon-
strated that local communities participate in risky practices without contem-
plating the health consequences that could emerge should a zoonotic disease
outbreak occur. Among other strategies, we recommended conservation and
public health institutions to increase awareness campaigns on the possible
health risks of zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife.
Description
Tanzania. Open Journal of Ecology, 13,
22-36.
Keywords
Local Communities, Bushmeat Consumption, Wildlife Products, Zoonotic Diseases, Awareness