Forgoing bushmeat hunting has health toll in Madagascar, says study
mongabay.comNovember 22, 2011
The paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looked at the nutritional benefits of bushmeat consumption in the Makira Protected Areas in northern Madagascar. It found that wildlife is an important source of iron and therefore helps stave off anemia, especially in malnourished children.
As such, the paper argues that reducing bushmeat consumption could hurt the local human population. A statement from UC Berkeley explains:
-
Because bio-available iron is primarily sourced from meat, the researchers hypothesized that increased consumption of wildlife would result in a reduced incidence of clinical anemia. They tested their theory by monitoring the diet and hemoglobin levels of 77 children every month for a year.
The children, all under 12 years old, lived in the Makira Protected Area of Madagascar, one of the most critical biodiversity hotspots in the world. The Makira region is located in a remote part of eastern Madagascar, and its inhabitants rely heavily upon local wildlife – such as lemurs and bats – for food.
Children there who ate more bushmeat had higher levels of hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein in red blood cells.
 A man prepares an aye-aye, a rare type of lemur found only on the island of Madagascar, as his younger brother walks by. These primates are a source of food for local inhabitants, despite being critically endangered. (Photo by Christopher Golden). |
Golden says a more holistic view can increase the chances of success for conservation efforts.
"When thinking of creating protected areas for diversity, policymakers need to take into consideration how that will impact local people, both in livelihoods and from a health perspective," he added. "We need to find ways to benefit the local population in our conservation policies, not hurt them."
Related articles
