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Projeto de investigação
Chimpanzee distribution and relation with local human communities in coastal area of Guinea-Bissau
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What Does Conservation Mean for Women? the Case of the Cantanhez Forest National Park
Publication . Costa, Susana; Casanova, Catarina; Lee, Phyllis
Community-based conservation programmes need to engage the support of all its members. Gender is a key
component in shaping attitudes about conservation, and lack of attention to gender differences in perceptions can
work against the aims of community-based conservation actions and initiatives. We present a study of the obstacles
to women’s participation in conservation strategies associated with Cantanhez Forest National Park (CFNP), in
Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Field-work took place in CFNP over two years, 2007-2008. Five women-only focus
group interviews (N=47 participants) were conducted to understand the perceived effects of CFNP’s establishment
on women’s daily activities, livelihoods and future expectations. The findings revealed that the women felt the
Park was responsible for malnutrition in the communities due to damage of crops by wildlife. Although they were
promised compensation, most of the farming households are still waiting for reimbursements for crop damage.
Women expressed an unwillingness to directly participate in conservation efforts related to CFNP, but they believed
that park researchers could help them to improve their lives.
Ethnicity and Perceptions of Bushmeat Hunting Inside Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea-Bissau
Publication . Amador, Raquel; Casanova, Catarina; Lee, Phyllis
West African managed forests are zones where domestic stock does not thrive, and bushmeat continues to be a
major source of animal protein for many people. Given rising human populations across Africa the harvesting and
trade in bushmeat is unsustainable, resulting in dramatic declines of local populations of wild animals. Accessing
local villagers’ perceptions on bushmeat hunting, consumption and trade is important for gaining a better
understanding of attitudes towards wildlife in the protected area of Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea Bissau. Positive attitudes regarding wildlife may ultimately determine if there is the capacity for sustaining
populations of wild animals within LCNP boundaries. Thus, our study of perceptions and attitudes on bushmeat
hunting, consumption and trade on the part of the Beafada community – the major ethnic group present in the LCNP
(77.4%) – and the Balanta – the second most populous group (8.7%) - was important for understanding how local
communities will influence the future of wildlife inside LCNP. Results come from a range of complementary
qualitative and quantitative approaches consisting of: i) survey questionnaires (N=258); ii) in-depth interviews (N=40
men); iii) six focus-groups (N=62 women); and, iv) non-participant observation. Our results has shown that the
Beafada as professional hunters rely on bushmeat hunting as a source of protein but particularly as a source of
income while the Balanta rely on bushmeat mainly as a source of protein. It was expected that these two
subsistence groups would value and perceive wildlife differently, although gender tended to express the most
distinct differences in attitudes. Religion also appeared to underlie some major differences in the local preferences of
species for consumption. Hunting and the bushmeat trade represent major threats to wildlife in Guinea-Bissau;
understanding their contribution to livelihoods and perceptions of protected areas may help ensure the persistence
of wildlife inside LCNP.
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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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POCI
Número da atribuição
POCI/ANT/57434/2004