Sagan Friant|Sarah B. Paige|Tony L. Goldberg
Drivers of Bushmeat Hunting and Perceptions of Zoonoses in Nigerian Hunting Communities
University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin Health|University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin Health
bushmeat hunting threatens biodiversity increases risk zoonotic pathogen transmission nevertheless limited information exists patterns contact wildlife communities practice bushmeat hunting especially respect social drivers hunting behavior used interview responses hunters nonhunters rural hunting communities nigeria 1 quantify contact rates wildlife 2 identify specific hunting behaviors increase frequency contact 3 identify socioeconomic factors predispose individuals hunt 4 measure perceptions risk participants engaged variety behaviors increased contact wild animals including butchering sell 37 injured 14 using body parts traditional medicine 19 collecting carcasses found forests andor farms 18 keeping pets 16 hunters came contact wildlife significantly nonhunters even nonhunting exposure pathways participants reported hunting rodents 95 ungulates 93 carnivores 93 primates 87 bats 42 among prey reported hunting frequencies within taxonomic groups prey different different hunting behaviors young age lower education level larger household size father hunts cultural group associated becoming hunter fiftyfive percent respondents aware could contract diseases wild animals 26 individuals reported taking protective measures overall hunters setting frequently contact diversity prey risky ways decision become hunter stems family tradition modified economic necessity conservation public health interventions settings may efficient capitalize local knowledge target root socioeconomic cultural drivers lead hunting behavior importantly interventions target consumption alone sufficient drivers modes interaction wildlife must also considered