Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Herizo Oninjatovo Radonirina, Bernard Randriamahatantsoa, Nirhy H. C. Rabibisoa
Summary: Mountain summits in Madagascar provide a habitat for a unique and locally endemic herpetofauna, including the critically endangered amphibian M. pauliani. Our study aimed to present new data on the distribution, elevational range, habitat use, and threats to M. pauliani. Monitoring from 2018 to 2021 showed fluctuation in population numbers and higher occurrence at higher elevations, with habitat alteration and bushfires posing threats to the species.
Article
Zoology
Cortni Borgerson, Steig E. Johnson, Emma Hall, Kerry A. Brown, Pamela R. Narvaez-Torres, Be Jean Rodolph Rasolofoniaina, Be Noel Razafindrapaoly, Samuel D. Merson, Katharine E. T. Thompson, Sheila M. Holmes, Edward E. Louis, Christopher D. Golden
Summary: This study analyzed the annual rates of household-level lemur hunting near ten protected areas in Madagascar, revealing that lemurs are commonly hunted across the country, with the highest hunting pressure observed in the northeastern rainforest region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley Lucas, Charles Kumakamba, Karen Saylors, Erby Obel, Reggiani Kamenga, Maria Makuwa, Catherine Clary, Guy Miningue, David J. McIver, Christian E. Lange, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Jean J. Muyembe-Tamfum
Summary: This qualitative study examines the bushmeat movement and the beliefs surrounding zoonotic disease and occupational risk among participants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study found that participants believed in transmission of illness from domestic animals to humans but not from wild animals to humans. They viewed wild animals as pure and natural, and considered domestic animals tainted by human interference. The study also highlights the need to better understand how public health messaging about outbreaks can reach high risk communities and suggests formal and informal trusted channels for conveying health messages surrounding zoonotic risk.
Article
Zoology
Katharine E. T. Thompson, Cortni Borgerson, Patricia C. Wright, Jeanne Mathilde Randriamanetsy, Mamy Yves Andrianantenaina, Niaina Nirina Mahefa Andriamavosoloarisoa, Theofrico Alexander Razafindrahasy, Ryan S. Rothman, Claire Surkis, Richard J. Bankoff, Carter Daniels, Katheryn C. Twiss
Summary: The unsustainable hunting and consumption of primates in Madagascar, especially in Kirindy Mitea National Park, has led to destabilization in both wildlife populations and the human communities that depend on them. A study conducted in a village adjacent to the park revealed high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, with lemurs being hunted in the greatest numbers. Food insecurity was found to significantly increase lemur consumption, particularly of critically endangered and vulnerable species. The results highlight the urgent need for primate conservation efforts and public health policies in the region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Belinda Groom, Pablo A. Tedesco, Philippe Gaubert
Summary: The bushmeat trade in tropical African rainforests is a complex conservation issue that requires scale-adapted survey design and adequate reporting of results. However, current bushmeat surveys suffer from design limitations, lack of reporting rigor, and biases towards certain countries and species. Updating and harmonizing survey efforts through regional monitoring systems is crucial for enhancing the understanding and addressing the sustainability of the trade.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anne-Lise Chaber, Georgia Kate Moloney, Veronique Renault, Sandrella Morrison-Lanjouw, Mutien Garigliany, Lucette Flandroy, Daniel Pires, Valeria Busoni, Claude Saegerman, Philippe Gaubert
Summary: The smuggling of bushmeat into the European Union from sub-Saharan Africa is a violation of EU Animal Health and Wildlife Trade legislation and poses serious threats to biodiversity and public health. A study conducted at Brussels Zaventem airport revealed that an estimated average of 3.9 tons of bushmeat is illegally transported monthly through the airport. Despite the evident active international trafficking of bushmeat, law enforcement penalties are rarely enforced, highlighting the need for simplified enforcement procedures.
Article
Ecology
Sean W. Hixon, Kristina G. Douglass, Laurie R. Godfrey, Laurie Eccles, Brooke E. Crowley, Lucien Marie Aime Rakotozafy, Geoffrey Clark, Simon Haberle, Atholl Anderson, Henry T. Wright, Douglas J. Kennett
Summary: Introduced predators such as dogs pose a threat to endemic animals on Madagascar, but research on the antiquity and past consequences of these introductions is limited. By studying radiocarbon dated bones of introduced dogs, researchers have found evidence suggesting that dogs may have coexisted with extinct megafauna on the island. Isotopic analysis of dog and fosa bone collagen indicates that there was no significant competition between introduced and endemic predators, and dogs currently share a mutualistic relationship with pastoralists on the island.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Domenic Romanello, Katharine E. T. Thompson, Cortni Borgerson, Jeanne Mathilde Randriamanetsy, Niaina Nirina Mahefa Andriamavosoloarisoa, Mamy Yves Andrianantenaina, Theofrico Alexander Razafindrahasy, Claire Surkis, Patricia C. Wright, Katheryn C. Twiss, Rebecca J. Lewis
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between poverty and lemur hunting and consumption in Madagascar. The results show high levels of poverty and widespread lemur hunting and consumption, but no significant relationship between the two. Future research should explore other contributing factors and test the effectiveness of livestock interventions near Kirindy Mitea National Park.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cortni Borgerson, Richard J. Bankoff, Christopher D. Golden, Be Noel Razafindrapaoly, Be Jean Rodolph Rasolofoniaina, Delox Rajaona, Elison Pascal, Peter De Angelo, Dominic A. Martin
Summary: Bird conservation relies on data on bird densities and threats, as well as understanding bird hunters' choices and incentives. This study analyzes 8 years of data on 87 bird species in Madagascar to determine bird densities, hunting pressure, incentives, choices, methods, spatial variation, and sustainability. The study finds that bird hunting is common and negatively impacts human wellbeing and long-term population viability of certain species.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Magdalena S. S. Svensson, Vincent Nijman, Chris R. R. Shepherd
Summary: Illegal and unsustainable trade pose significant challenges to primate conservation. The wildlife trade in the EU and UK is significant but poorly studied and reported when it comes to primates.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ryan S. D. Calder, Caitlin Grady, Marc Jeuland, Christine J. Kirchhoff, Rebecca L. Hale, Rebecca L. Muenich
Summary: The food, energy, and water (FEW) sectors are closely linked, with the COVID-19 pandemic revealing vulnerabilities and trade-offs in these areas, particularly for vulnerable populations. The pandemic has highlighted issues such as the allocation of water resources between hygiene and food production, and the economic insecurity caused by disruptions in these systems.Enhanced quantitative FEW and health models are urgently needed to prepare for future pandemics that may have higher morbidity and mortality rates than COVID-19.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alain Din Dipita, Alain Didier Missoup, Maurice Tindo, Philippe Gaubert
Summary: The study utilized DNA typing to conduct a comprehensive investigation of bushmeat markets in Cameroon, identifying three new species previously unreported. The research revealed that inadequacies in existing diversity and diagnostic features led to inaccurate identification of some species, and even some samples could not be determined to the species level. The DNA typing approach corrected or refined almost half of the morphological identifications, and found that over half of the bushmeat species traded in Cameroon are nationally protected.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amael Borzee, Jos Kielgast, Sally Wren, Ariadne Angulo, Shu Chen, Kit Magellan, Kevin R. Messenger, Candace M. Hansen-Hendrikx, Anne Baker, Marcileida M. Dos Santos, Mirza Kusrini, Jianping Jiang, Irina V. Maslova, Indraneil Das, Daesik Park, David Bickford, Robert W. Murphy, Jing Che, Tu Van Do, Truong Quang Nguyen, Ming-Feng Chuang, Phillip J. Bishop
Summary: Emerging infectious diseases are increasing, impacting various taxa, and eastern Asia has taken steps to regulate wildlife trade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, amphibians are often excluded from regulations, so specific trade restrictions are supported to decrease the risk of zoonoses and better protect the environment.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sylvie N. Fonkwo
Summary: There is a lack of baseline data on the sustainability of anthropogenic activities in the African tropical rainforest, posing a continuous threat to wildlife. This study in Cameroon provides basic data on income from bushmeat, anthropogenic activities, and the abundance of large mammals in Douala-Edea National Park. The findings suggest that wildlife is threatened by illegal logging, hunting, and habitat degradation, and alternative sources of income and strict law enforcement are needed to reverse these threats.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Safidy M. Rasolonjatovo, Mark D. Scherz, Robin Schmidt, Julian Glos, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Achille P. Raselimanana, Miguel Vences
Summary: This study investigates the diversification processes at the population level in a semi-aquatic frog species, M. bellyi, in Montagne d'Ambre National Park, Madagascar. The researchers found genetic differentiation among subpopulations based on microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences, with geographic proximity and fluvial characteristics playing a role in genetic exchange. The genetic clustering was mostly consistent with morphological divergence, but not with differences in call properties. This study highlights the importance of mountains and environmental conditions in shaping genetic and morphological divergence in frog populations.