Wildlife hunting practices and bushmeat dynamics of the Banyangi and Mbo people of Southwestern Cameroon

The Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, an area of lowland tropical rainforest in southwestern Cameroon, was designed by the Government of Cameroon specifically to protect 10 species and one order (Chelonia) of wildlife including some of the most endangered primates in Central and West Africa such as the drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). The long-settled local communities surrounding the Sanctuary maintain user rights of the forest and its natural resources as long as the conservation goals of the protected area are not compromised. A three-year study assessed local communities' hunting dynamics in and around the sanctuary. Ten village-based assistants weighed, sexed, and aged all animal carcasses harvested by the 96 hunters participating in the study from June 1999 to March 2002. Data on weapon type, use of meat, location of kill, and price for each killed animal were also collected. We compare bushmeat dynamics and hunting cultures of two tribes living on the periphery of the Sanctuary, the Banyangi and the Mbo. A total of 13 489 animals were harvested during the study period, 4656 by Banyangi and 8833 by Mbo. Our results suggest that the condition of bushmeat when sold by hunters, either fresh or smoked, does not appear to affect the price. Bushmeat was significantly cheaper than the alternative sources of protein available in the nearest town. Although both tribes appear to use similar weapon technologies and hunting techniques, they differ with respect to amounts harvested and bushmeat use. The tribe settled deep in the forest with no road access hunts more intensively and for commercial sale outside the region, while the tribe along the road consumes or sells most of their catch locally.