| By Inieke Udokang
What comes to mind when you hear the word "bats"?
Do you envision them as mythical creatures associated with folklore, or do you recognize their significant role in ecosystems as pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers? Yes, that’s what bats do for you!
Despite their crucial contributions to the ecosystem, many bats are still hunted and killed for their meat, posing a serious threat to their survival. Bats play a vital role in maintaining the balance of various ecosystems around the world. They are essential pollinators and seed dispersers for numerous plant species, contributing to the overall biodiversity and health of our environment.
Cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) © SMACON
Why do People Hunt Bats?
Communities living around the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, in southeastern Nigeria, face difficulties accessing affordable and sustainable protein sources. Preliminary unpublished data from research at SMACON suggests that the unavailability and high cost of more conventional protein options are some of the main reason these local communities have turned to hunting wildlife, including bats, to meet their dietary protein needs. The story is more nuanced than that, we can't wait for the final results from our co-Director Dr. Obitte.
For many years, bat hunting has been a practical and affordable solution for these communities, but it has contributed to the depletion of local bat populations. Overhunting, driven by survival needs, is becoming increasingly unsustainable and harmful to the ecosystem. In addition, the main species that is targeted here is the Egyptian Fruit bat that has also been implicated in Marburg virus in East and Central Africa. Thus, an intervention to reduce bat hunting has value for both bat conservation and public health outcomes.
a. Egyptian Rousette Fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus b. Hunted bats ready for sale [Photo credit: Benneth Obitte]
Recognising The Issue
In 2023, SMACON took action to protect bat species and their habitats. We launched an initiative to provide these local communities with an alternative, yet affordable protein source, aiming to reduce reliance on wildlife hunting through the establishment of cane rat farming. It is notable, that this intervention is an important outcome of Dr. Obitte's socio-ecological doctoral research at Texas Tech University.
Cane rats, also known as grasscutters, are large rodents native to Africa and are commonly consumed as a delicacy in many West African countries. Farming them provides an opportunity to sustainably meet the protein demands of these communities without negatively impacting wildlife populations.
The cane rat farm project started as a pilot program in Buanchor, one of the communities at the base of the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. The project has already seen considerable success, with several cane rats being born and the potential for further growth established. This success signals the feasibility of expanding the program to additional communities.
Farm building housing the Cane rat hutches (left) and the farm administrative office (right)
Community Participation and Engagement
The farm project is one of many examples of how SMACON's partnership with local communities can be a win-win for conservation and local people. For instance, a community member donated the land on which the farm is built. Members of the community are excited about the full participation and collaboration with SMACON, as community members are employed in the farm as farm attendants, while some other members are involved in the farm management process as board members. Community members are truly proud of the project, because it is the first successful conservation-alternative-farm of its kind in Bokiland. In the first week of opening the farm, we received over 50 visitors per day. In addition, the kids from local schools also visit the farm to learn about farming and how meat can be produced at commercial but sustainable small scales.
Looking ahead, SMACON plans to scale up the cane rat farm project by expanding to five more communities around the Afi Mountain sanctuary. This long-term breeding and meat processing initiative is expected to reduce bat hunting, provide a continuous and sustainable source of protein while also generating income for community members.
Furthermore, the project creates year-round job opportunities, employing locals as farm attendants and contributing to the overall economic development of the people of Bokiland. Indeed, the alternative animal farm project will become self-sustaining in the long run, when reproductive pairs are established (managed through good animal husbandry techniques). However, alternative farms are a capital project and rely on support in these early stages, especially now that we're set for expansion. We are incredibly grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) and Conservation Connect for supporting these farms.
SMACON staff, a Dr Zoe Nhleko, WCN representative and community farm board members
You can partner with us to expand our 1,000 capacity livestock farm from one community to five others around the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary by supporting a farm with $500/month.
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