Human Use-Pressure and Sustainable Wildlife Management in Burkina Faso: A Case Study of Bushmeat Hunting in Bobo-Dioulasso

Hunting is an important activity for the survival of local communities. However, unregulated hunting threatens the sustainability of wildlife and subsequently affects the same populations. This study investigated bushmeat hunting practices and their implications in wildlife sustainable management in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina-Faso). A total of 226 hunters were interviewed, using a random sampling technique and a semi-structured questionnaire. It revealed four groups of hunters. Group 1 (32.57% of the sample) was young and commercial hunters from Bobo ethnic group with 42.15±6.01 as average age. Hunting is their main activity and they hunt all year round in groups using direct catch and hunting dogs. Group 2 (19.76%) prefers to hunt in the daytime and their products serve for diseases treatments through traditional medicine. Group 3 (29.06%) consists of the Mossi ethnic group with an average age of 58.92±3.69. They belong to the confederation of hunters called "Dozo". They are farmers with hunting as the secondary activity. They hunt at night with headlamps. Group 4 (18.60%), mainly Mossi with an average age of 63.06±7.19, hunts occasionally and respects the accredited hunting periods. The animals at the risk and most commonly used as bushmeat are Francolin, Porcupine, Cape hare, Buffalo, Nile monitor, Python, and Parrot. The locally threatened animals are respectively Ostrich, Roan antelope, Bat, Crocodile, and Striped hyena. Other animals are endangered and becoming increasingly rare (Lion, Elephant, Hippopotamus, and Warthog). Actions need to be taken by decision-makers and involve local communities for the sustainable management of wildlife in Bobo-Dioulasso.