Bushmeat hunting practices by rural communities in the forests of Eastern South Africa: motivations, techniques, and perceptions

Bushmeat hunting for consumption and trade represents a significant extinction threat to many wild terrestrial mammal species globally. In Africa, research on bushmeat consumption is largely associated with people living in the tropical forests of western and central Africa, where bushmeat is the mainstay of local diets. In southern Africa, research on bushmeat hunting in communal lands is limited due to the secretive and illicit nature of the practice. Here we assessed the motivations, practices and perceptions of 147 hunters across 12 rural villages in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Data sourced from hunter interviews collected in 2019 and 2020 revealed that bushmeat was mainly consumed by hunters and other, non-hunting males, rather than brought home for the family. Only 12% of the hunters attested to consuming the meat they caught with their families. Hunting was practiced mainly by young (32 + 9 years), unemployed men as a cultural activity (57%) and for sport (48%). Bushmeat trade was limited to a few (5%) hunters who sold to local elderly men. Thus, bushmeat hunting is not an important livelihood strategy for hunters nor a major component of the household diet. Hunting is a cultural and recreational activity performed by young and middle-aged men. We propose that the current hunting legislation be amended to accommodate the socio-cultural needs of rural communities, while ensuring the sustainable use and conservation of wildlife resources.