HUNTING PRACTICES AMONG TWO ETHNIC GROUPS LIVING IN THE LAGOAS DE CUFADA NATURAL PARK (LCNP), GUINEA-BISSAU: HOW ARE NON HUMAN PRIMATES PERCEIVED?

Although protected areas have several goals, these areas were created mainly to protect biodiversity. Hunting and bushmeat trade represent major problems for wildlife conservation in Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP). One of the Park goals is to protect animal biodiversity in the area. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship established between local human communities and non human primates (NHP) in order to contribute to a successful biodiversity conservation strategy. The study of perceptions and attitudes of the Beafada community – the major ethnic group present in the Park (77, 4%) – and the Balanta – the second (8, 7%) - was important to understand how these could interfere or dictate hunting of NHP and bushmeat practices. This presentation was specifically focused on assessing hunting and bushmeat perceptions and practices. Observation, questionnaires survey (N=258) and in-depth interviews (N=40) were applied to different categories of Beafada and Balanta interviewees (villages chiefs, hunters and others) in 32 rural villages located inside the Park territory during the period of four months. Balanta ethnic group display more “environmental-friendly” hunting practices and are not so involved in the NHP bushmeat trade. They hunt mainly with dogs (and use traps) specifically for consumption. Balanta are not traditional hunters, however, among the Beafada there are professional hunters (hunt every day) and most men hunt sometimes more than once per week. Beafada men always use rifles and sell NHP carcasses, preferably in major cities (e.g. Buba or Bissau). All NHP hunted by Beafada are for bushmeat trade. NHP are perceived very differently by both ethnic groups and although Balanta perceive these mammals as edible, their practices are more conservation-friendly than the Beafada way of dealing with other animals: as merchandise/product to be sold. For both ethnic groups chimpanzee was considered a different NHP as it was considered highly not edible.