This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7618023.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
African hunting ban 'disastrous' African hunting ban 'disastrous'
(about 2 hours later)
A complete ban on hunting wild animals for their meat would be a disaster for people living in Central Africa, researchers say.A complete ban on hunting wild animals for their meat would be a disaster for people living in Central Africa, researchers say.
The practice needs to be legalised, regulated and controlled, argues a report from the Centre for International Forestry Research.The practice needs to be legalised, regulated and controlled, argues a report from the Centre for International Forestry Research.
Otherwise, some large wildlife species, such as elephants and gorillas, will be extinct within 50 years, it says.Otherwise, some large wildlife species, such as elephants and gorillas, will be extinct within 50 years, it says.
Bush meat is a key part of the diet for many in central Africa. Bush meat is a key part of the diet for many in Central Africa.
In some areas it provides 80% of the protein and fat consumed. But these nutritional benefits come at a high price.In some areas it provides 80% of the protein and fat consumed. But these nutritional benefits come at a high price.
Local consumptionLocal consumption
Researchers estimate that more than a million tonnes of bush meat is killed every year.Researchers estimate that more than a million tonnes of bush meat is killed every year.
If large mammals are hunted to extinction, this will pose a serious threat to food security for millions of people, the report warns.If large mammals are hunted to extinction, this will pose a serious threat to food security for millions of people, the report warns.
"If current levels of hunting persist in Central Africa, bush meat protein supplies will fall dramatically, and a significant number of forest mammals will become extinct in less than 50 years," said Robert Nasi, one of the report's authors."If current levels of hunting persist in Central Africa, bush meat protein supplies will fall dramatically, and a significant number of forest mammals will become extinct in less than 50 years," said Robert Nasi, one of the report's authors.
But the report argues it is important to distinguish between the rural poor, who hunt to survive, and those who engage in the activity purely as a commercial venture.But the report argues it is important to distinguish between the rural poor, who hunt to survive, and those who engage in the activity purely as a commercial venture.
The report - Conservation and Use of Wildlife-Based Resources: The Bushmeat Crisis - says that many attempts to crack down on the hunting of bush meat are misguided and a blanket ban on sales of bush meat simply would not work.The report - Conservation and Use of Wildlife-Based Resources: The Bushmeat Crisis - says that many attempts to crack down on the hunting of bush meat are misguided and a blanket ban on sales of bush meat simply would not work.
The authors argue that only by giving rights to local hunters to decide on what they want to hunt will they be encouraged to adopt sustainable practices - such as hunting for fast reproducing species like rodents instead of larger mammals.The authors argue that only by giving rights to local hunters to decide on what they want to hunt will they be encouraged to adopt sustainable practices - such as hunting for fast reproducing species like rodents instead of larger mammals.
Consumption of bush meat in Europe and elsewhere is often blamed for driving up demand but this report points out that the most of it is consumed in local village areas.Consumption of bush meat in Europe and elsewhere is often blamed for driving up demand but this report points out that the most of it is consumed in local village areas.