Bushmeat hunting plays an important role in many rural African households; however, hunting pressures are growing, threatening
the survival of many bushmeat species. Wildlife resources are rapidly dwindling; yet effective conservation strategies have
been difficult to develop and implement. Many dimensions of bushmeat resource use have not been sufficiently explored and
are consequently ignored in conservation interventions. To improve understanding of hunting practice, we conducted semistructured
interviews with 74 hunters in three Malinké villages in Guinea, West Africa regarding motivations to hunt and hunting processes.
In addition, we investigated the local bushmeat trade in a nearby city. Using data from previous studies, and Robinson and
Redford’s (
1991) model, we find that Red-flanked duiker, bushbuck and buffalo are unsustainably harvested. Malinké hunters’ perspectives
offer both opportunities and obstacles for conservation which will be valuable for the development of conservation strategies
in this area.
Keywords Bushmeat - Hunting - Guinea - Conservation - Malinké