424 R. Batumike et al. Results
Village surveys A total of 22 species (all mammals) were mentioned as im- portant for bushmeat in our village surveys (Table 1). Fif- teen were considered important for household consumption (consumed most often) whereas 16 were considered impor- tant for income generation (Table 1). The most important species for household consumption (mentioned in .40% of the villages sampled) were the African brush-tailed por- cupine Atherurus africanus, Peters’sduiker Cephalophus callipygus, bay duiker Cephalophus dorsalis and red river hog Potamochoerus porcus. The most important species for income generation (mentioned in .40% of the villages sampled) were the same, except for the porcupine, which was considered less important for income generation (Table 1). In general, a greater number of smaller species (,10 kg) were mentioned for household consumption (e.g. rodents such as the Gambian pouched rat Cricetomys gambianus and African giant squirrel Protoxerus stangeri) whereas a greater number of large species (.30 kg) were mentioned for income generation (e.g large ungulates in- cluding the common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, harnessed bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus and sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii; Table 1). Participants reported selling large ungu- lates because most people in Kindu prefer them as ‘they are tastier’. Bushmeat, small fish and caterpillars (the latter only available in September–December) were reported to be the main sources of protein in all villages studied (animal rearing is limited in this area). There were nomajor differences in the species mentioned
by the different ethnic groups, but Mbote sometimes ex- changed carcasses for objects (e.g. shoes or clothes) rather than money. Respondents mentioned that they mostly sold their carcasses in the towns of Dikanjo, Lokando, Bafundo and Kindu (Fig. 1). Respondents in all villages reported hunt- ing to be their main income generating activity,with the mon- ey being used to pay for school fees, medicines or clothes. In many villages, participants mentioned declines of
some species (African brush-tailed porcupine, Peters’s and bay duiker, and guenons Cercopithecus sp.; Table 1).Hunters reported they had to travel greater distances, to locations closer to or inside the Park’s core zone, to find these species. They also mentioned that certain species had nearly disap- peared, notably the forest elephant, African buffalo Syncerus caffer and bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus (96, 50 and 42%of the villages sampled, respectively). According to the villa- gers, wildlife population declines were related to overhunt- ing, which they attributed to four factors: (1) an increased number of foreigners (Congolese from other ethnic groups who are not local to the study area) hunting in the area, (2) increased use of firearms, primarily by foreign hunters, (3) lack of respect for the closed season, and (4)lack of
respect for traditional regulations that do not allow hunting certain species (e.g. bonobos, pangolins, tortoises). An in- creased use of firearms, particularly by wealthier foreign hunters, was attributed to the fact that it makes hunting gre- garious animals easier and because prey caught in traps can be stolen. The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) is re- sponsible for enforcing the bushmeat hunting and trading ban during the closed season. However, the financial and human resources needed to patrol the Park and buffer zone are lacking, and enforcement is ineffective. At least five species hunted for bushmeat are of conser-
vation concern (i.e. categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List; Table 1). A sixth species could be the newly described, Vulnerable lesula Cercopithecus lomamiensis, which is endemic to Lomami National Park. Guenons Cer- copithecus spp. are used for bushmeat in Kindu, but we could not always confirm the species because of the poor quality of smoked carcasses. During the focus group discus- sions we realized there was a misconception about hunt- ing threatened species: because all species inside the Park’s core zone were protected (hunting is forbidden), villagers thought they were allowed to hunt any species in the Park’s buffer zone (e.g. including the bonobo).
Market survey
A total of 18 species were commercialized during our study period, 11 of which had been mentioned as important for income generation during the village surveys (Table 1). Almost all were mammals, including nine artiodactyls, six primates, one rodent and one carnivore. There was one spe- cies of crocodile and no birds (Table 1). Six species were traded by .40% of the vendors: the African brush-tailed porcupine, blue duiker Cephalophus monticola, bay duiker, red river hog, red-tailedmonkey Cercopithecus ascanius,and the sitatunga. Most species were sold as whole carcasses (except the porcupine and sitatunga, which were sometimes sold by quarters), and in smoked form (Table 1). The cheap- est species (per individual) was an unidentified guenon and the most expensive was the red river hog. In general, smaller species were cheaper than larger ones (Table 1), but prices also depended on the size of individual carcasses, with larger ones being more expensive. Vendors mentioned that they mostly traded smoked carcasses because they were easier to transport. The roads around Lomami National Park are impassable by four-wheeled motor vehicles, and some are inaccessible even by motorbike during the rainy season. Only nine (of 30) vendors mentioned they did not trade certain species during the closed season, but still traded others during that period. Most vendors in Kindu buy carcasses from major retail- ers. Retailers travel to towns (mostly Dikanjo, Katopa and
Oryx, 2021, 55(3), 421–431 © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605319001017
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