DID YOU KNOW? It’s illegal to consume and sell some types of bushmeat in Nigeria

Meat from wild animals is commonly known as bushmeat in Nigerian parlance. These non-domesticated animals — grasscutters, antelopes, squirrels, deer, monkeys, wild pigs, alligators and snakes — are hunted for consumption, medicinal reasons and commercial purposes.

They are sold by roadside vendors, at local markets, and in restaurants.

But what does the law say about the consumption of bushmeat?

IS IT LEGAL TO CONSUME AND SELL?

The first schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act prohibits the hunting, capture, or trading of wild animals such as pangolin, monkeys, African palm squirrel, short-nosed crocodiles and pythons and some other species.

The Act also sets a fine of “N1,000 for a first offence and for a second and subsequent offence to imprisonment for one year without the option of a fine; and in respect of any specimen under the Second Schedule to this Act, to a fine of N500 for a first offence and for a second or subsequent offence, to imprisonment for six months without the option of a fine”.

The law also mandates the government to conserve and protect wildlife in compliance with international treaties.

WHY CONSUMPTION AND SALE THRIVE IN NIGERIA

However, despite the legislation in place, these animals are often hunted and traded.

“Bushmeat consumption has been going on for ages in Nigeria and has been widely accepted,” Mark Ofua, a conservationist and spokesperson for Wild Africa, told TheCable.

Contrary to the belief that bushmeat consumption is an alternative source of protein for the poor, a survey by Wild Africa showed that the consumption is largely driven by urban taste.

“We have come to recognise that bushmeat consumption is driven by elitist taste. When we talk about bushmeat consumption, a lot of people are quick to say ‘it’s for protein supplementation, poverty and all that’ but in our research, we have come to find out that the poor people or people that live around forest community do not consume bushmeat because they can’t afford it. Yes, they catch it, but they prefer to sell it in the city where it will fetch them a high amount of money. Then they can buy other forms of protein,” Ofua said.

“The demand in the urban area is what has been driving the bushmeat trade. Most of the time, it is when the rural guys can’t sell the game and are almost going bad that they taste bushmeat.

“The threat of animal extinction is driven by many factors, and bushmeat consumption is one of them. Side by side with bushmeat consumption is illegal wildlife trade. Where certain parts of animals are harvested, like pangolin scales, elephant tusks, and lion’s hides, which they will export for money.”

Ofua also noted ignorance as another factor that fuels the consumption and sale of wild animals in Nigeria.

“In the course of our work, we have had to confiscate animals that are protected by law from certain individuals. We confiscated and tried to apprehend, and a crowd will gather and start asking what the problem is. When you tell them it is protected, they express shock that animals are protected in Nigeria. The ignorance is rife as perpetrators are unaware of the law,” he said.

STIFFER PENALTIES BUT WEAK ENFORCEMENT

In 2016, the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act was amended.

The law was modified to update the penalty provisions in line with economic realities, increase deterrence and improve the preservation of endangered species.

Consequently, the penalty was increased from N1,000 to N500,000 for offenders who hunt or trade in endangered species such as pangolins, chimpanzees, lions, and pythons.

However, local laws and international treaties protecting animals from poachers are seldom enforced, enabling perpetrators to slip through the justice system.

MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF WILDLIFE FROM POACHERS

Ofua said a state of emergency should be declared on Nigeria’s wild animals as they are being depleted owing to a nonchalant attitude towards conservation.

He advocated awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas to ensure that people are properly informed.

“There are certain individuals cut off from social media and mainstream media, so one primary way to address this is to attack it culturally. Conservation biology must be taught in our primary and secondary schools. Why do we need to save these animals? What animal is protected? What animal is legal to eat? It is a powerful tool to ensure obedience. Introducing conservation biology to schools will save our wildlife,” Ofua said.

“Also, media houses should be compelled to devote a sizable portion of their time to environmental matters. It is usually on the back burner. It should be on the front burner because these matters affect us directly. We should always have these conversations, so that everybody will begin to see the dangers we’re causing ourselves.

“Another thing is that the government should begin to enforce the law. There’s a bill before the national assembly that better protects our wildlife. The old bill had a lot of loopholes, flaws that these criminals exploited. The bill shoud be quickly passed and enforcement should take place so that we can save what is left.

“We have depleted nature. If nature, wildlife thrive, we will thrive. We must begin to look at these holistically and stop looking at wildlife like it is alienated.”