There is limited quantitative evidence of the effects of socio-economic shocks on biological resource use. Focusing on wild meat hunting, a substantial livelihood and food source in tropical regions, we evaluated the impacts of the shock from Nigeria's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown on species exploitation around a global biodiversity hotspot. Using a 3-year quantitative dataset collected during and after the lockdown (covering 1008 hunter-months) and matching by time of year, we found that successful hunting trip rates were more frequent during the lockdown, with a corresponding increase in the monthly number, mass, and value of animals caught. Moreover, hunters consumed a larger proportion of wild meat and sold less during lockdown, compared to non-lockdown periods. These results suggest that local communities relied on wild meat to supplement reduced food and income during the lockdown, buffering the COVID-19's socio-economic shock. Our findings also indicate that wild species may be especially vulnerable to increased hunting pressure during socio-economic shocks.
Publication year
2024
Authors
Emogor, C.A.; Coad, L.; Balmford, B.; Ingram, D.J.; Detoeuf, D.; Fletcher, R.J.; Imong, I.; Dunn, A.; Balmford, A.
Language
English
Keywords
hunting, wildlife, game meat, rural communities, socioeconomics, pandemic, food resources
Geographic
Nigeria
