How much bushmeat is from endangered species?
A Defra sponsored DNA sampling study, facilitated by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at the time, found that the vast majority of seizures recorded as ‘bushmeat’ actually came from non-endangered species such as African cane rats. The few samples that were from CITES listed species were from duikers (a type of antelope) and pangolin (a scaly anteater). No meat from species such as gorilla or chimpanzee were found. Sampling study: • In 2005/06 Wildlife DNA Services (part of the University of Wales, Bangor) were funded by Defra and the International Fund for Animal Welfare to conduct a pilot project to investigate the species composition of bushmeat consignments; • HMRC arranged for illegally imported bushmeat seizures to be made available to WDNAS, and by arranging for WDNAS officers to have ‘airside’ access to Heathrow Airport, for bushmeat sampling and collection purposes; • The FSA (via a Local Authority) also arranged for 3 samples to be taken from wild meat bought in Londo
