AN OVERVIEW OF BUSHMEAT TRADE AND ITS IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Keywords:
Hunting, bush meat, trade, wildlife, conservation, NasarawaAbstract
Bushmeat trading practice is a main contributor to wildlife depletion in Nigeria, with Nasarawa State serving as an important center for this activity. This largely unregulated sector is driven by high consumer demand, widespread poverty, and limited access to other sources of protein, leading to significant pressure on wildlife. This review evaluates bush meat sales in Zimbabwe area, and their impacts on wildlife conservation in Nasarawa State. Data were gathered from existing literature involving sellers from the study area. Findings indicate that bush meat trading activities are concentrated in roadside markets and informal outlets (“joints”) of Zimbabwe that cater to both local populations and travelers. The trade provides moderate economic opportunities, especially for women who make up about 93% of marketers. However, these traders often experience social inequalities, with most being married (90%), only half having secondary education, and a small proportion lacking formal education entirely. Ten frequently traded species include 7 mammals and 3 reptiles: African grass cutter, monkeys, duikers, and some reptiles. The persistence of this trade is largely influenced by poverty, dietary protein needs, and cultural traditions. Despite its economic importance, the bush meat trade has serious environmental and public health consequences, including declining wildlife populations, ecosystem disruption, biodiversity loss, and continued risk of zoonotic diseases such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). To address these challenges, this review recommends stricter enforcement of anti-poaching laws, the provision of alternative livelihoods for hunters, promotion of wildlife domestication (e.g., grass cutter farming), and improved conservation awareness and education.
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