Case: Global Trade in Wild Mammal Meat

People in central Africa have been hunting wildlife for at least 40,000 years. Today, as the human population grows, the harvest of large wild mammals is increasing. The human diet includes many threatened species such as gorilla, chimpanzee, and elephant. The consumption of this meat in central Africa alone—Cameroon, Gabon, Central Africa Republic, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria—is estimated between 1 and 3.4 million tons per year.

Some scientists believe that the current rate of wildlife killing will eventually result in a situation where the forest canopy survives but is largely devoid of animals.  Other scientists argue that, since animals are instrumental in seed dispersion, continuing to hunt wild meat in such large numbers will ultimately result in the disappearance of the forest itself.

However, others contend that the harvest of this meat is essential to avoid human catastrophe in Central Africa. It is estimated that 50% of the people living in the region are malnourished. Social scientists note that the poorest areas depend on wild meat (known as “bushmeat”) as a vital source of protein. Because of the problems associated with the tsetse fly and sleeping sickness, animal agriculture has generally been unsuccessful. Crop cultivation has also proven unsuccessful due to low prices on the global market caused by massive farm subsidies in wealthy nations.

Furthermore, the worldwide trade of wild meat is estimated at 300 billion dollars; 1,000 tons of illegal meat are smuggled into Britain each year from West and Central Africa. Although illegal, this trade is a tempting source of income for impoverished nations with few other natural resources. Advocates of the poor fear that the end of this trade would seal the fate of an already suffering population.

1. Is it ethical for starving people in Africa to kill endangered animals to feed their families?
2. Is it ethical for starving people in Africa to sell these animals to get money to buy clothes, put their children in school, etc.?
3. Is it ethical for Westerners to buy wild meat from Africa?
4. Do Western countries have a responsibility to help these countries develop more sustainable agriculture? (which is likely to be very difficult and very expensive)
5. What is the responsibility of the African governments involved to find ways to nourish their people? Ways to protect endangered species?

(from the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics)

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