Conflict over Wildlife between Trophy Hunting and Local Communities in the East Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Trophy hunting is hunting primarily for recreational tourism and the acquisition of trophies, such as wild animal horns and skulls. It is rated as ecologically sustainable and contributes to the local economy through tourism revenues. However, little attention has been given to the effects of trophy hunting on the hunting activities of local people, and there have been few reports on the relationship between trophy hunting and local communities, especially with regard to the actual conditions under which trophy hunting occurs in forests in Africa. In this study, I conducted fieldwork in a forest area in East Region of Cameroon, and conducted a literature study to clarify the actual status of trophy hunting and its relationship with local communities. It was found that there is competition for resources between trophy hunting and local hunting for blue duiker and Peters's duiker. Trophy hunting also had positive and negative impacts on communities, including the financial and animal meat benefits enjoyed by some communities, but also restrictions and controls on their hunting activities. Therefore, the conservation of duikers, which are important for both types of hunting, should be promoted, and policies should be established to ensure the continuation of local livelihood activities, rather than focusing only on the economic benefits provided to local communities from trophy hunting.