Bushmeat marketing in some selected markets in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on bushmeat occurrence, weight and prices were carried out in eight selected markets in three local government areas in Benin City, Nigeria. Live, dead and processed (smoked) bushmeat brought to the markets were weighted using electronic weighing machine. Twelve wildlife species were recorded as sources of bushmeat, they included Sylvicapra grimmia, Thryonomys swinderianus, Manis gigiantea, Potamochoerus porcus and Cercopithcus mona among others. The mean weekly bushmeat weight was 5,993kg, and 28% 28.79% and 14.39% of the weights were recorded in Ekiuwa and Ekiosa markets, respectively. A total live weight of 560kg and 216kg of Crocodylus niloticus and Varanus albigularis, respectively, were recorded. Also, 23,972kg and 287,644kg of bushmeat were recorded in the eight selected markets per month and per year respectively. There was significant difference (P<0.05) between the weight of bushmeat supplied to the selected markets.