Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of hunting is essential for the management of protected areas, as well as for assessing its impacts on wildlife. This knowledge also allows patrols to be directed toward areas under greater hunting pressure. A promising approach to estimating hunting pressure is through the use of autonomous bioacoustic recorders combined with artificial intelligence tools. However, it is necessary to develop a process capable of accurately describing the spatial and temporal distribution of hunting and, in parallel with wildlife monitoring, understanding its ecological impacts. Therefore, our goal is to estimate hunting pressure across space and time and to assess its effects on forest ungulate species. We intend to evaluate the impact of hunting by testing its influence on the density, occupancy, and activity patterns of ungulates. To achieve this, we established a 1,500-ha sampling grid in Iguaçu National Park, where each of the 24 plots is equipped with one bioacoustic recorder and three camera traps, which will operate for two years. So far, we have completed four months of sampling. We also conducted a preliminary experiment to record gunshots from different types of firearms and ammunition at various distances from the recorders, aiming to model sound intensity as a function of distance. As a preliminary result, we found that gunshots from 12-gauge firearms can be detected with an intensity of 20 dB at distances of up to 900 meters, indicating this as an optimal spacing between recorders for triangulation of detected gunshots. uring the setup of the sampling grid, we already found seven clear pieces of evidence of poaching activity in different locations within the study area, including platforms used for poaching (2), campsites (2), artificial salt licks (1), and cartridges (2), and we recorded a poacher with a camera trap. In the coming months, hunting activity will be modeled spatially and temporally. The resulting database of bioacoustic recordings and camera-trap images will be made available to the scientific community to foster future collaborations and improve conservation strategies. Funded by FAPESP #2024/18433-5
How to cite: Oliveira, M., Passos, F., Vogliotti, A., Astaras, C., Parola, C., Pereira, F., Grotta-Neto, F., Gorni, G., Rowcliffe, M., Silva, M., and Felipe, M.: Project Anhangá: Bioacoustic recorders for detecting poaching and its impact on ungulates, World Biodiversity Forum 2026, Davos, Switzerland, 14–19 Jun 2026, WBF2026-108, https://doi.org/10.5194/wbf2026-108, 2026.
Poaching remains a major threat to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development across tropical forest landscapes, including the Dja Biosphere Reserve in Cameroon, one of Central Africa’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Despite decades of conservation initiatives and legal frameworks, illegal hunting continues to undermine wildlife populations and ecosystem stability. This persistent challenge is largely driven by intertwined socioeconomic factors that reflect the livelihoods and daily realities of local communities who depend heavily on forest resources. This study therefore investigates the socioeconomic drivers of poaching and explores community-based strategies for fostering sustainable livelihoods around the Dja Landscape. The research was conducted in three key communities (Lomié, Somalomo, and Meyomessala), located along the periphery of the Dja Reserve. A mixed-methods approach was used to ensure both quantitative rigor and qualitative depth. Structured surveys were administered to 120 respondents (40 per community), all of whom were active or former hunters. In addition, 30 key informant interviews (10 in each community) were conducted with traditional leaders, local administrators, and conservation officers, complemented by 9 focus group discussions (3 per community) involving diverse community members, including women and youth. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis to identify core socioeconomic patterns and perceptions related to poaching. Findings reveal that poverty, unemployment, and limited livelihood opportunities are the most significant drivers of poaching, compounded by strong market demand for bushmeat and weak enforcement of conservation regulations. Cultural traditions, coupled with chronic food insecurity, further reinforce dependence on wildlife resources. Nevertheless, most respondents expressed genuine willingness to adopt sustainable alternatives such as agroforestry, small livestock farming, ecotourism, and commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), provided that adequate training, financing, and institutional support are available. The study concludes that combating poaching in the Dja landscape requires a multidimensional and participatory approach that integrates poverty alleviation, livelihood diversification, environmental education, and stronger governance mechanisms. It recommends enhancing community engagement and building inclusive conservation partnerships to ensure long-term biodiversity protection and improved human well-being.
How to cite: Nyong, P. A.: Socioeconomic Drivers of Poaching and Community-Based Strategies for Sustainable Livelihoods Around the Dja Landscape in Cameroon , World Biodiversity Forum 2026, Davos, Switzerland, 14–19 Jun 2026, WBF2026-33, https://doi.org/10.5194/wbf2026-33, 2026.
Sustainable Use Reserves (SURs) in the Brazilian Amazon aim to balance biodiversity conservation with subsistence resource use. Yet, the sustainability of game hunting in these areas remains uncertain. This study synthesizes findings from a conservation initiative that combined local ecological knowledge (LEK), camera trap (CT) data, and community-based governance to evaluate hunting impacts across nine SURs and adjacent communities. LEK collected from 211 hunters in 93 communities indicated that game populations are perceived as more abundant in floodplain-rich areas far from urban centers, with lower perceived defaunation of harvest-sensitive species. Complementary CT data from 720 deployments near 100 communities confirmed wildlife declines within a 5-km radius of settlements, with proximity to communities and urban influence as key drivers. Availability of aquatic protein partially mitigated declines for some species, while local protection status enhanced species richness and abundance. Additional CT data revealed behavioral shifts, with certain species becoming more nocturnal or altering activity patterns near human settlements and urbanized areas. Comparative analysis of LEK and CT methods showed strong correlation, particularly for large-bodied, sensitive species such as Tapirus terrestris and Tayassu pecari, which were depleted up to 15 km from communities. LEK proved especially effective for identifying spatial depletion patterns, underscoring its value in low-governance contexts. A case study in the Riozinho da Liberdade Reserve highlighted the potential of community-led hunting regulations. Following CT-based evidence of negative impacts from hunting with dogs, local stakeholders voluntarily banned this practice, improving wildlife outcomes and reinforcing governance. These findings advocate for integrated monitoring approaches and participatory management to enhance the sustainability of subsistence hunting in tropical SURs. Strategies should prioritize reducing urban wild meat demand, managing aquatic protein sources, and empowering local communities through evidence-based decision-making. This research underscores the urgent need for collaborative conservation strategies that integrate science, policy, and traditional knowledge. This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, grant number 2017/08461-8).
How to cite: Sampaio, R.: Integrating Local Knowledge, Camera Trap Data, and Community Governance to Assess and Mitigate Hunting Impacts in Amazonian Sustainable Use Reserves, World Biodiversity Forum 2026, Davos, Switzerland, 14–19 Jun 2026, WBF2026-127, https://doi.org/10.5194/wbf2026-127, 2026.
