Bushmeat a threat to health and wildife

I AM writing to bring to your attention a serious threat facing both endangered wild animals and human health — the snaring of wild animals and consumption of their meat, known as "bushmeat".

In many parts of Africa, bushmeat has evolved from a low-level subsistence activity to a large-scale commercial trade, supplying urban and even international markets. Many species of wild animal, including endangered species such as gorillas and elephants, are killed by poachers, butchered, and then transported to city markets and restaurants across the globe as part of this widespread commercial activity.

In Kenya, this crisis has recently been compounded by rising food prices, crop failures and the wide-ranging impacts of the global recession, which has led to an increase in the numbers of wild animals being killed for their meat.

There are also concerns that the trade can pose a serious threat to human health.

Bushmeat also affects us here in the UK. Latest figures indicate that nearly 7,500 tonnes of illegal meat products enter Britain every year, some of which is believed to be bushmeat.

To raise awareness about this important issue, we have produced a new film with our partners Land Rover, which provides an insight into some of the enormous challenges faced by those in Kenya.

To view the film and to find out how you can help, please visit the website www.born free.org.uk/bushmeat.

Will Travers

Born Free Foundation

Chief Executive

(by email)