AN INTEGRATED MODEL FOR CONSERVATION: CASE S?ZIDY ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE COMMERCIAL BUSHMEAT TRADE IN CAMEROON CHRISTNA M. ELLIS A thesis submitted to the Faculty ofEnvironmentai Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Environmental Studies Graduate Progrme in Environmental Studies York University North York, Ontario May 2000 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliogrâphic Services services bibliographiques 395 Weliington Street 395. me Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une Licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/film de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. 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The author reserves other publication rights. and neither the thesis nor extensive extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's written permission. Abstract Hunting Primates for food poses the greatest threat to Chimpanzees (Pan trogZod'tes) and Gonllas (Gofilla gorifla) in the Gunieo-Congolian forest region of West and Central Afi-ica. While past research kas focused on biological or econornic factors of primate conservation, the commercial bushmeat trade in Cameroon provides a complex and dynamic case study that calls for a more integrated conservation program. Focusing on the largely disregarded role of women in the trade, this study demonstrates the need for greater inclusion of al1 participants in conservation planning. Women, as the buyers and sellers both in large urban markets and locaI village markets, provide an important source of local understandings of the bushmeat trade. As an overview for firrther research, open-ended interviews were conducted with women across the tropical forest region in Cameroon. While there is considerable cultural variation within Cameroon, results indicate wornen participate in the trade not only for economic reasons but also based on gender roles, and appropriate divisions of labour. From this participation, which ofien occurred after a lifestyle change, the women gain a support group of other sellers as well as generate a sense of iden~ityand community. As such a constituent, wornen vendors represent potential regulators of the trade and their inclusion wil1 influence the success of conservation planning towards community development adindependence. In this view, primate conservation, and programs targeting the bushmeat trade must focus on cultivating support that values the crucial role of women as not only active participants but also key stakeholders in this trade. A proposed integrated mode1 for comprehensive conservation concludes this research project by integrating insight gained fiom valuing alternative perspectives in the bushmeat trade with concepts fiom political ecology. Acknowledeements 1 would like to extend a thank you to the following individuals for assistance in planning my thesis research as well as overall academic and writing guidance: Dr. Ray Rogers Kerry Bowman Comie Russell Jason Taylor Dr- Anthony Rose Beth Bastien Dr. Lewis Molot Lorraine Standing Leesa Fawcett Anna Chase Field research costs in Cameroon were eased in part by gants f?oom: Faculty of Environmental Studies and York University Plant Family Environmental Foundation Barbara and David Ellis and The Bastien Family The organizations and individuals who assisted in planning my field research and provided access to unpublished reports and documents contributed an invaluable amount of material. 1 would like to highlight the enormous assistance by the foilowing: IUCN - ROCA and Dja Project Staff Mount Cameroun Projecf Bihini Won Wa Musiti Tako Charles, Mbome William Eko Ndinga Assitou, Rene Meigari Nchimfor Zacheus Roger Emmanuel Bidirna Bidima Korup Project / WlW Michael Vabi, Arrah Emrnanual Marie Meboka While many individuals assisted with my research and provided guidance while in Cameroon, if it were not for the seIfless generosity of Bihini, Rose and Guillain, 1 would not have survived rny travels. 1 would also Iike to thank: Clodine Mboma, Nnomo Abbah Joseph, Joseph Melloh, Elias Djoh and Emmandeck Kennedy for assisting me while in Carneroon. 1 also must thank my fnends and farnily, but especially my parents and Jason for providing strength and support while I was far away and close at home. vii List of Figures Figure 1: Research Sites............................................................................................... 84 Figure 2: Research Design ........................................................................................... 93 Figure 3: Research Question I-ûrganizations ............................................................ 95 Figure 4: Raearclt Quesrion I -Participants ........................................................ 96 Figure 5: Research Question II .Frameworks ......................................................... 102 Figure 6: Research Question I - Southeast Area ....................................................... 110 Figure 7: Research Question i - Southwest North Areu .......................................... 119 Figure 8: Research Question 1- Sou fhwest South Area .......................... ,... ....... 129 Fo reword Research for this thesis fulfills one of the requirernents for my Master in Environmental Studies degree f?om York University; however, it also represents the integration of my academic and personal interests in conservation. 1 came to York University and the Faculty of Environmental Studies to explore conservation ideologies and primates in Af?ica. Within my first semester, I noticed an emphasis in traditional conservation, on biological aspects of conservation issues, and a neglect of socio-cultural, political and economic issues in primate conservation prograrns. 1 was profoundly affected by theories on the concept of biocultural interactions, and the influence of culture and language. 'Nature is not only more complex than we think, it is more complex than we can think" (Nabham 1997), and the overarching influence of economics and politics has constructed and constrained the potential for our language to represent alternative concepts. 1 became interested in building upon the existing conservation processes to address "new" alternative, or more integrated conservation perspectives for primate conservation issues. This ambition took me to Cameroon to conduct the field research for this project, and allowed me to realize why conservation issues are so complex and challenging. While researching the commercial bushmeat trade, I appreciated that it is the greatest threat to apes7 suMval in West and Central Mca, but was more deeply afSected by the intensity of human survival and the necessity of natural resources in day-to-day existence. When 1 returned to Canada, and told of my adventurous interactions with comrnunities and exposure to al1 facets of Cameroonian Iife, someone said they heard that Cameroon would never be the sarne; al1 T could think was that, no, 1 would never be the same. Cameroon has likely forgotten that 1 ever walked its many paths. The seeds 1 dispersed have now sprouted, the trails grown with vegetation, a11 the while, the local communities continued on their daily trek for survivai, for environmental issues are indeed survivai issues- Table of Contents Title Paoeb ................................ .... ....................................................... i . Copyright Page............................. .., ................................................... o.....................^^ ... Certificate Page .................................................................................................................... 111 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ ....iv Acknowledgements ............. .. .............................................................................................. vï . Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. ll List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ vi .. List of Figures ...................................................o.................................................................w~