Title_ Drills and Diets, Consumption and Conservation – the Role of Primate Meat in Local Diets in and Around Cross River National Park, Nigeria

Author_ Agnes ANDERSSON DJURFELDT, Edu O. EFFIOM, Magnus JIRSTRÖM and Ola OLSSON

Pages 1-28

Abstract_ The study uses household level data from four villages in and around Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria to assess the role of primate meat in local livelihoods and diets. Okwangwo is an enclave community within the national park, Butatong houses the CRNP headquarters. Kanyang1 and Abo Ebam are located farther away from the park. 149 respondents were surveyed. Sale of bushmeat contributed 4 percent of total cash income on average, but is important as a source of protein in the context of poorly developed livestock systems. 98 percent of the households ate bushmeat during the past year and 74 percent hunted for consumption. 77 percent ate meat from primates, although this varied from 53 percent in Butatong to 97 percent in Okwangwo. Differences emerge among the villages with less reliance on bushmeat, less hunting and a dietary shift towards poultry in Butatong. There is no correlation between income levels and consumption of primate meat. The overwhelming motive for eating primate meat was taste preferences. Solutions to unsustainable extraction of primate meat must be sourced in relation to local consumption. Improving access to animal source foods, through widening the livestock basis of local agrarian systems therefore comes across as a primary conservation measure.

Keywords_ Bushmeat, Livelihoods, Hunting, Consumption, Conservation, Livestock