Nature. Hunt for bushmeat has become one of the biggest threats to the world’s fauna. According to a new study threatened 301 terrestrial mammal species of extinction because of hunting.
This is a significant proportion, more than 25 per cent, of all threatened mammals.
the Researchers behind the study, published in Royal Society Open Science, notes that as people, we keep on to consume to death a large part of the species. Most people end up in the frying pan, some ending their days in the medicine cabinet, or as jewelry and trophies.
All occur in developing countries. The worst hit is south-east Asia in which 113 species are threatened to their existence of unregulated – often illegal – hunting. Africa is in second place with 91 species.
“Massive collapse”
On the list are 126 species of primates (monkeys, great apes, and prosimians), 73 ungulates, 27 raccoons, 26 marsupial, 21 rodents and 12 predators.
Here we find the well-known animals as the gorilla, the chimpanzee and the tiger, but also many lesser-known species a long row of apes, macaques, bladapor, lemurs, gazelles and antelopes.
Scientists speak of a “massive collapse” and warns that many of these animals are about to disappear altogether over large areas. In Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma are many forests intact, but inside them, it is empty. The animals are gone, leaving only the empty cartridge cases and a snare.
Millions of animals
the Situation has worsened in recent decades due to a massive increase in population in the countries concerned.
the Worst is the position of the largest species. The larger the body mass, the greater is the risk of extinction.
In the brazilian Amazon it is estimated that 89 000 tonnes of meat from wild animals annually sold in the market. Even worse is the situation in central Africa where half a million pounds of bushmeat are taken from the forests each year. This is equivalent to millions of animals, from rats to antelopes.
the Consequences could be that the entire ecosystem is changing fundamentally. In addition, digging the hunters its own grave – when everything is shot off are famine for the door. The only possible way out is the increased protection and regulation of the hunt.
the FACTS
Bushmeat
Bushmeat is the term given to meat from wild animals, mainly in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world. It is derived from the English word “bushmeat”.
According to the new study threatened 301 terrestrial mammal species of extinction due to hunting for bushmeat. It also includes species that are hunted for their body parts believed to have medicinal effects.
the Countries with the highest number of threatened species in this category are Madagascar (46 species), Indonesia (37) Philippines (14) Brazil (10).
Source: Royal Society Open Science
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