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An attitudinal survey on wildlife consumption and conservation awareness was conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming and Nanning of China recently. Comparison with the results from a similar survey we did in 2004, after 8 years, the proportion of respondents who had consumed wildlife was dropped slightly from 31.3 % down to 29.6 %. It showed that the rates of wildlife consumed as food and as ingredients for traditional medicines in Guangzhou and Nanning ranked in the top. The consumptions in these two cities were mostly driven by utilitarian motivation, and mainly for food. Meanwhile, the rate of consumers taking wildlife as food was declining significantly in Beijing after 8 years. The results also showed that 52.7 % agreed that wildlife should not be consumed, which was significantly increased comparison with the survey result of 42.7 % in 2004. In addition, respondents agreed that wildlife could be used significantly decline from 42.8 to 34.8 %. It's indicated that wildlife conservation awareness was raised in China in the past years. We also founded that consumers with higher income and higher educational background were having higher wildlife consumption rate. It suggested that to strengthen the law enforcement and to promote the public awareness were keys to reduce wildlife consumption in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish stocks are declining at alarming rates in the Central African forests but little is known about patterns of fishing pressure for different areas. To contribute to the understanding of covariates that could explain these trends, this study documented the relative abundances of fish in eleven sites in the western Democratic Republic of Congo in relation to human density, distance from the nearest markets and mean numbers of fishing nets. Linear regression indicated that, taken alone, 88 % of observed differences in fish relative abundance correlated with the mean number of fishing nets and 60 % of these differences were attributable to distance from the nearest market. Human density was marginally associated with fish abundance. The study also shows that fish and wildlife relative abundances followed the same trends: where more wildlife species remain, there are more abundant fish stocks. The two conservation messages of this paper are that, as is the case for bushmeat, fishing becomes a problem when the commercial market is its prime driver and a solution to the bushmeat crisis could also reduce over-fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alheira is a traditional meat product that is typical from the Northeast region of Portugal and much appreciated. It is a sort of sausage produced industrially or by small artisanal producers, having wheat bread and meats as main ingredients. Game meat Alheira (Alheira de caça) is considered one of the most attractive products since it should include different game meats. The aim of the present work was to identify the species of origin of meats added to game meat Alheira samples to verify their compliance with labelling. Species-specific PCR assays targeting mitochondrial genes of rabbit, hare, red deer, cow and pork were optimised and applied to industrial and artisanal samples. The assays revealed adequate specificity for each of the targeted species, with sensitivities of 0.01–0.1%. Results of the evaluation of 18 commercial samples identified several inconsistencies with labelling, namely the absence of declared game species (red deer, hare and rabbit) in ten samples and the presence of undeclared cow species in nine of the analysed samples. These findings indicate the occurrence of misleading labelling, suggesting the adulteration by substitution of game meats by cow meat to reduce production costs and the need to protect and valorise this kind of traditional food product. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conservation attention to indigenous hunting with fire in the cerrado largely focuses on sustainability as construed in scientific terms rather than according to indigenous points of view. Towards the goal of reframing the debate in terms more congruent with indigenous perspectives, I address how the Xavante (A'uwẽ) view ritualized and collective hunting, including hunting with fire, as indispensable means of acquiring gifts by which to celebrate important events, express feelings of respect and gratitude towards others, promote positive social values among male youth, and maintain the group's ethnic identity. In particular, ritualized exchanges of game meat are necessary and culturally appropriate means of expressing esteem for others at some of life's most important moments. For the Xavante, the social imperative to give and receive gifts of meat during weddings and initiation ceremonies motivates efforts to maintain the collective hunting with fire tradition in a manner that ensures its long term environmental viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The harvesting and consumption of game meat in South Africa is not limited to season. The study was thus aimed at investigating the seasonal impact on the chemical composition (moisture, protein, fat and ash contents) of male and female blesbok muscles ( N = 32; longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, infraspinatus and supraspinatus). RESULTS A significant interaction ( P ≤ 0.01) existed between season and muscle type. Selected muscles had higher ( P ≤ 0.01) mean protein contents with a higher plane of nutrition (spring of 2009), while longissimus dorsi muscles had the highest ( P ≤ 0.01) mean intramuscular fat content (33.52 g kg−1). A strong negative correlation ( r = −0.82; P ≤ 0.01) existed between the muscles' moisture and protein content. The chemical composition of blesbok semimembranosus muscles was significantly different between seasons, while the other muscles were least affected by seasonal differences in blesbok plane of nutrition and activity levels. CONCLUSION The seasonal and muscle differences were statistically significant, but numerically small. It is therefore debatable whether this is of biological relevance relating to human nutrition. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The culture of game meat cooking in the Hungarian cuisine has very old tradition. In the recent survey we focused on the following species: red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), mouflon (Ovis musimon) wild boar (Sus scrofa). Our aim was to map the consumers' requests, the demand as well as the main objectives on the domestic market. The results represent a descriptive picture on the acceptance, rejection, attitudes and preferences concerning the given meat types. Data were collected (n=500) by on-line and paper based questionnaire as well, and were processed by PASW Statistics 18 software. Most of the asked consumers ate already game meat occasionally (all those who have hunter in the family eat at least in every month and more species). Differences were found between the answers of the asked sample population living in urban and in the rural areas. About 90% of the consumers considered game meat as healthy and almost organic food. Those people who have a negative attitude to game meat are vegetarian or refuse consumption due to fear from zoonotic diseases or emotional reasons. The availability of game meats is better year by year, but the answerers judged the fresh and pre-cooled meat more favourable, than the deep frozen ones, and buy the game meat more frequent from hunters, than from supermarkets. By the opinion of the answerers the game meats are expensive meats (compared to the meats of domestic animals). Deer meats were preferred by the value of delight, and the wild boar meat was preferred by the price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsustainable hunting is a threat to conservation and rural livelihoods that depend on bushmeat for food and income. To reduce the pressure on forest-dependent vulnerable species, hunting in farmland might complement offtake from forests and provide a sustainable source of bushmeat. To explore this possibility, we investigated patterns of hunting and wildlife depletion, and integration of hunting into agricultural livelihoods, in an intensively managed farm-forest mosaic landscape. Surveys were conducted across 63 households over a year in a Ghanaian cocoa-farming community surrounded by a timber production forest. The findings indicated a high level of wildlife depletion in the landscape and the local extinction of the largest species, especially in farmland. Most hunting occurred in forests and offtake from farmland was low, yet hunting in farmland was disproportionately common relative to its coverage in the landscape. Most farmland hunting was opportunistic and integrated with agricultural activities. Our findings suggest that intensively used farmland provides little opportunity to reduce hunting pressure in forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spot checks and periodic day-long surveys of the wild mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians sold for food were carried out in the Lak Xao market and other markets in Laos. Birds were the predominant offering in terms of number of species, but amphibians, although represented by few species, were predominant in numbers of individuals. Mammals were a significant component of the wares, both in species and numbers of individuals. Reptiles had the lowest representation in both categories. There were slight seasonal changes in numbers of species and individuals being sold. Much of the wildlife sold in Lak Xao was brought from Nape, a village about 20 km distant and located in a different vegetation zone. Few of the birds or amphibians on offer were in high IUCN categories of risk, perhaps because the more vulnerable species had already been extirpated locally, but a considerable proportion of the mammalian and reptilian species were threatened. Some small, secretive species were not represented in the markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with an overabundant elephant population amid the difficult context of the land reform programme in Zimbabwe, Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) applied for an annual management quota of 60 animals in 2008 with the objectives of controlling an increasing population, attracting goodwill from the surrounding rural communities by providing a protein source and reducing the illegal bushmeat trade. Eighty-nine elephants were cropped in eight separate hunts during 2009 and 2010 providing 41 tonnes of meat. With adequate air-support, the cropping of family herds was feasibly and humanely conducted by skilled professional hunters. The handling of carcasses and the preservation of large quantities of meat were technically challenging on site. Because of the high demand for fresh meat, the processing facilities to extend meat shelf-life could not be tested. Cropping elephants remains a costly exercise at around US$550 per carcass. Cost recovery is possible with the sale of meat, offal and hides, but in this study was only partially achieved due to mismanagement of product delivery and sale. With 2.3 kg purchased per buyer, the production of meat partially satisfied the local population demand but offered an opportunity to the game meat producers to establish social links with their neighbours. To observe long-term impact on the illegal bushmeat trade currently affecting the SVC we suggest careful monitoring of future harvests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to compare the excision sampling technique used by the export market and the sampling technique preferred by European countries, namely the biotrace cattle and swine test. The measuring unit for the excision sampling was grams (g) and square centimetres (cm2) for the swabbing technique. The two techniques were compared after a pilot test was conducted on spiked approved beef carcasses (n = 12) that statistically proved the two measuring units correlated. The two sampling techniques were conducted on the same game carcasses (n = 13) and analyses performed for aerobic plate count (APC), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, for both techniques. A more representative result was obtained by swabbing and no damage was caused to the carcass. Conversely, the excision technique yielded fewer organisms and caused minor damage to the carcass. The recovery ratio from the sampling technique improved 5.4 times for APC, 108.0 times for E. coli and 3.4 times for S. aureus over the results obtained from the excision technique. It was concluded that the sampling methods of excision and swabbing can be used to obtain bacterial profiles from both export and local carcasses and could be used to indicate whether game carcasses intended for the local market are possibly on par with game carcasses intended for the export market and therefore safe for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out on a hunting ground belonging to AJVPS Arad, county Arad. Lead (Pb) was determined in Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) tissues (muscles) and organs (liver, kidneys) to see the contamination level of this tissues and organs and also the impact on humans health because in our days more and more wild game meat take a increasing percentage in humans food ratio. The Mallard is one of the most widespread duck species. Mallard has 50-62 cm length, 800-1400 g weight and lives about 11 years. It prefers rivers and shallow pounds with a lot of reed. It is a migratory species that is flying long distances to find food and unfrozen water, so it is a exposed to lead contamination that is under dust form in atmosphere. But another reason why lead level in Mallard can be higher that in other flying specie (pheasant, woodcock, quail, and pigeons) are the lead shot shells that are used for duck hunting. It is known that the ducks can ingest these lead shot shells and so they are often exposed to lead intoxications. This is why in our days more ammunition for waterfowl are steel made or different type of alloys. Lead is known to be one of the most common pollutants with a large range of effects on human health: lead affects nervous system, digestive tract, kidneys, bones, enzymes. Lead has also mutagenic effect, carcinogenic effect, teratogenic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A total of 142 samples of game meat and ready-to-eat meat products from red deer and wild boar were analysed in order to assess the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Shiga-toxin encoding genes (stx genes) were detected by PCR in 36 (25.4%) of the samples and STEC was isolated from 8 (5.6%) of the same samples. None of the samples tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Four different serotypes were found among the 8 STEC isolates, with serotype O27:H30 being predominant (62.5%, 5/8). The PCR assay indicated the presence of the stx2 gene in all of the STEC isolates and further subtyping resulted in detection of three different subtypes: stx2a, stx2b and stx2g. The only stx1-positive isolate was further subtyped as stx1c. The ehxA gene was detected in 3 (37.5%) of the isolates and none of them contained the eae gene. All STEC isolates were sensitive to the 13 antibiotics tested. Some isolates possessed serotypes and virulence gene profiles previously associated with STEC infections in humans. The isolation of a STEC strain carrying the stx2a subtype from a ready-to-eat meat product from deer suggests the role of these products as a potential source of STEC infections in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For many millennia humans and reptiles have interacted, but the attitude of humans towards these animals has depended on culture, environment, and personal experience. At least 719 reptile species are known to occur in Brazil and about 11% of this fauna has been exploited for many different purposes, including bushmeat, leather, ornamental and magic/religious uses, and as folk medicines. Brazil can therefore serve as an interesting case study for better understanding reptile use by human societies, and the present paper catalogues some of the reptile species being used in Brazil and discusses implications for their conservation. A literature review indicated that 81 reptile species are culturally important in this country, with 47 (58%) species having multiple uses, 54 being used for medicinal purposes, 38 as food, 28 for ornamental or decorative purposes, 20 used in magic/religious practices, 18 as pets, and 40 are commonly killed when they come into contact with humans. Regarding their conservation status, 30 (37.5%) are included on State's Red List, Brazilian Red List or the IUCN Red List. There are many forms of interaction between reptiles and humans in Brazil-although most of them are quite negative in terms of wildlife conservation-which reinforces the importance of understanding such uses and interactions in the context of protecting reptiles in Brazil. A better understanding of the cultural, social, and traditional roles of these reptiles is fundamental to establishing management plans for their sustainable use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The role of women in natural resource use has been a recurrent theme in social scientific research, especially in relation to developing countries. In contrast to much of this literature which focuses on differences and tensions between female and male roles, we argue that the interplay between and complementarity of such gendered roles might be highly relevant in understanding contested resource use, but are often neglected. We explore here the role of women in illegal hunting, specifically bushmeat hunting in eastern Africa. Using qualitative data from two sites, lower Omo in Ethiopia and western Serengeti in Tanzania, we found that in both places women, while not actively hunting, played a strong role through a variety of verbal and non-verbal behaviours that motivated male hunting and discouraged their non-hunting. Hunting activities were highly gendered and driven by the interplay between male and female roles, which served to maintain these activities despite strong disincentives from legislation and conservation and development interventions. In contrast to the current literature on women and natural resource use, we thus found that gendered roles complemented and reinforced each other. We discuss implications for research on gender, environment and development, and for the design of conservation-oriented interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Understanding the patterns of wild meat consumption from tropical forests is important for designing approaches to address this major threat to biodiversity and mitigate potential pathways for transmission of emerging diseases. Bushmeat consumption has been particularly poorly studied in Madagascar, one of the world's hottest biodiversity hotspots. Studying bushmeat consumption is challenging as many species are protected and researchers must consider the incentives faced by informants. Using interviews with 1154 households in 12 communes in eastern Madagascar, as well as local monitoring data, we investigated the importance of socio-economic variables, taste preference and traditional taboos on consumption of 50 wild and domestic species. The majority of meals contain no animal protein. However, respondents consume a wide range of wild species and 95% of respondents have eaten at least one protected species (and nearly 45% have eaten more than 10). The rural/urban divide and wealth are important predictors of bushmeat consumption, but the magnitude and direction of the effect varies between species. Bushmeat species are not preferred and are considered inferior to fish and domestic animals. Taboos have provided protection to some species, particularly the Endangered Indri, but we present evidence that this taboo is rapidly eroding. By considering a variety of potential influences on consumption in a single study we have improved understanding of who is eating bushmeat and why. Evidence that bushmeat species are not generally preferred meats suggest that projects which increase the availability of domestic meat and fish may have success at reducing demand. We also suggest that enforcement of existing wildlife and firearm laws should be a priority, particularly in areas undergoing rapid social change. The issue of hunting as an important threat to biodiversity in Madagascar is only now being fully recognised. Urgent action is required to ensure that heavily hunted species are adequately protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and quality compliance of game carcasses (n = 295) intended for the South African export market and aspiring to comply with the strict hygiene requirements of the European Union were compared with game carcasses (n = 330) available for the local market and currently not subjected to meat safety legislation. Samples were collected in similar seasons and geographical areas in South Africa from 2006 to 2009. Aerobic plate counts (APC) of the heart blood verified that both groups possessed similar ante mortem bacterial status. For health compliance APC, tests for Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were performed on the carcasses. Surfaces of the local carcasses were swabbed using the European Enviro-biotrace sponge technique at 3 and 72 h post mortem. Unskinned but eviscerated export carcasses in the abattoir were skinned and sampled by incision using a cork borer 72 h postmortem. Temperature and pH readings were recorded at 3 and 72 h post mortem from the longissimus dorsi muscle and the readings at 3 h differed (P = 0.035). Temperatures at 72 h were lower for export than local carcasses (P < 0.001) because of earlier introduction and maintenance of the cold chain. The pH readings also differed between groups at 3 and 72 h (P <0.001). APC results for the local group exceeded the maximum permissible count (<105). S. aureus results showed differences (P <0.001), with readings from the local group being higher. The same tendency was exhibited for E. coli (P = 0.008). Imposition of hygiene guidelines for game ranchers producing meat for the local market is therefore recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild animals have been a source of food and income through subsistence hunting by forest-dwelling people in Neotropical countries in spite of the fact that hunting appears to be unsustainable as it leads to the depletion of wild fauna. Laws in Brazil and other Latin American countries forbid hunting but allow the commercial use of captive-bred animals. Notwithstanding the fact that this is a controversial topic among conservationists, in this paper we propose that wildlife farming in the Neotropics can be an alternative to the over-hunting and deforestation that are carried out for the production of traditional food and pastures for livestock. This review sets out this proposal, and discusses the implications for tropical forest integrity and rural population dependency on forest resources. We discuss the ecological and economical advantages of wildlife farming and its constraints as a conservation tool, using collared peccary ( Pecari tajacu) farming in the Amazon region as a model. Productivity levels may reach 19,000 times higher than those obtained from the management of peccaries from forests in the Amazon region. This can be achieved with an easily obtainable diet composed of forest fruits and locally available agricultural by-products. Therefore, establishing captive management programs for peccaries is an effective way of avoiding wild stock depletion, deforestation, and guaranteeing the livelihood of forest dwellers in the Neotropics. However, it is essential that governmental and/or non-governmental agencies be involved in providing subsides to establish peccary farms, provide technical assistance, and introducing peccary captive breeding centers to supply founder stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As rural Amazonian caboclo households transition from subsistence to increasingly market-based economies with systems of individualized production and consumption, the non-market exchanges of cooperative labor and game meat integral to the practice of subsistence hunting maintain bonds between households in the community. Further, subsistence hunting strengthens kinship ties across households wherein both men and women are important actors, an additional important component of local resource management. This study conducted in Brazil's first sustainable development settlement, Projecto de Desenvolvimento Sustentavel (PDS) Sao Salvador, suggests that not only are use rules important in the local management of natural resources, but also that inter-household relations of social conflict and social cohesion expressed in subsistence hunting reinforce community social structure while simultaneously impacting the natural resource base. In the effort to link social with ecological sustainability, conservation and development planners must recognize that extra-community government regulation may interfere with the socio-cultural dynamics of local community identity and governance explicit in subsistence hunting in rural Amazonian coboclo communities and could potentially produce negative consequences for community social structure and the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses early evidence for the Andean Foliated Point Tradition (TAPF in Spanish), with special emphasis on the Central Andes region and the Lauricocha complex, which are included into the so-called 'Proto-Lauricocha' phase (Salcedo 2006). This phase is characterized by the indiscriminate consumption of animal species prior to food production, and the presence of foliated projectile points featuring centripetal retouch and minute ailerons located at one-third of the maximum longitude of the piece, defining in that way a pseudo-peduncle. The cultural phase has been dated by the radiocarbon method in the 10,500-7400 years cal BC interval, employing the dendrochronological calibration with the support of the OxCal v3.10r program (Bronk- Ramsey 2005) and the current calibration curves (Reimer et al. 2004; Reimer et al. 2009). Comparative evidence found in North America and Japan is used to discuss the probable origin of TAPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Game meat may be contaminated with metals and metalloids if animals reside in anthropogenically polluted areas, or if ammunition used to kill the game contaminates the meat. Muscle tissue from red deer and wild boar shot in Ciudad Real province (Spain) in 2005–06 was analysed for As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Se and Cd. Samples were collected from hunting estates within and outside an area that has been historically used for mining, smelting and refining various metals and metalloids. Meat destined for human consumption, contained more Pb, As and Se (red deer) and Pb (boar) when harvested from animals that had resided in mined areas. Age related accumulation of Cd, Zn and As (in deer) and Cd, Cu and Se (in boar) was also observed. Two boar meat samples contained high Pb, at 352 and 2408μg/g d.w., and these were likely to have been contaminated by Pb ammunition. Likewise, 19–84% of all samples (depending on species and sampling area) had Pb levels >0.1μg/g w.w., the EU maximum residue level (MRL) for farm reared meat. Between 9 and 43% of samples exceeded comparable Cd limits. Such data highlight a discrepancy between what is considered safe for human consumption in popular farmed meat (chicken, beef, lamb), and what in game may often exist. A risk assessment is presented which describes the number of meals required to exceed current tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) for Pb and Cd, and the potential contribution of large game consumption to such intake limit criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lead poisoning caused by ingested spent lead shotgun pellets has long been known to be a cause of unnecessary mortality in waterfowl and has led to legislation limiting its use in many countries. Recent evidence has shown that the problem extends to terrestrial ecosystems and to fragmented rifle bullets eaten by scavengers as well as shotgun pellets. Dietary exposure of human consumers to lead from spent ammunition in game meat also poses potential risks to human health. To assess the degree of fragmentation of lead bullets used to kill wild deer, twelve deer were shot in the thorax using copper-jacketed lead-cored bullets, as part of planned deer management operations. The thoracic region of the eviscerated carcasses and the abdominal viscera of each deer were X-rayed. An average of 356 metal fragments was visible on radiographs of the carcass and 180 fragments in the viscera. The weight of fragments was estimated by reference to an X-rayed scale of fragments of known weight. The average total weight of metal fragments, likely to be mostly lead, was estimated to be 1.2g for the carcass and 0.2g for the viscera. The total estimated weight of fragments in the entire carcass was estimated to be 17% of the weight of the bullet. Most fragments were small in size, with those in the viscera being smaller than those in the carcass. Metal fragments in the viscera were sufficiently small that at least 80% of the metallic bullet-derived lead in the viscera would be expected to be ingested by scavenging birds, such as buzzards and eagles, which feed on them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The risk for humans to contract bovine tuberculosis through the consumption of under-cooked game meat as well as bittong (traditionally dried game meat) is a concern. The survival potential of Mycobacterium bovis during the cooking and drying processes was researched in a preceding study on beef and the positive results compelled the authors to investigate the results with a similar preliminary study on game meat. Muscular, lymphatic and visceral tissues from skin test positive African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) with tuberculous lesions were collected from the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park during the park's culling programme. The different tissues were exposed to cooking and the muscular tissue to the drying process prior to culture. All acid-fast isolates were analysed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of Mycobacteriurn bovis. All tissues were found negative for Mycobacterium bovis but non-tuberculous mycobacteria were isolated from kidney, liver, heart and lymph nodes. The results showed that these processes will kill Mycobacterium bovis but the unexpected recovery of non-tuberculous mycobacteria suggests possible survival and resistance characteristics of these strains which might be of veterinary public health interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To obtain robust epidemiological information regarding tuberculosis (TB) in wildlife species, appropriate diagnostic methods need to be used. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) recently emerged as a major maintenance host for TB in some European countries. Nevertheless, no data is available to evaluate TB post-mortem diagnostic methods in hunter-harvested wild boar. Methodology/Principal Findings: Six different diagnostic methods for TB were evaluated in parallel in 167 hunterharvested wild boar. Compared to bacteriological culture, estimates of sensitivity of histopathology was 77.8%, gross pathology 72.2%, PCR for the MPB70 gene 66.7%, detection of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in tissue contact smears 55.6% and in histopathology slides 16.7% (estimated specificity was 96.7%, 100%, 100%, 94.4% and 100%, respectively). Combining gross pathology with stained smears in parallel increased estimated sensitivity to 94.4% (94.4% specificity). Four probable bacteriological culture false-negative animals were identified by Discriminant Function Analysis. Recalculating the parameters considering these animals as infected generated estimated values for sensitivity of bacteriology and histopathology of 81.8%, gross pathology 72.7%, PCR for the MPB70 gene 63.6%, detection of AFB in tissue contact smears 54.5% and in histopathology slides 13.6% (estimated specificity was 100% for gross pathology, PCR, bacteriology and detection of AFB in histopathology slides, 96.7% for histopathology and 94.4% for stained smears). Conclusions/Significance: These results show that surveys for TB in wild boar based exclusively on gross pathology considerably underestimate prevalence, while combination of tests in parallel much improves sensitivity and negative predictive values. This finding should thus be considered when planning future surveys and game meat inspection schemes. Although bacteriological culture is the reference test for TB diagnosis, it can generate false-negative results and this should be considered when interpreting data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The authenticity of food is currently a major issue for researchers, consumers, industries and policy markers at all levels of the production process. Particularly in the meat industry, products from game animals are susceptible targets for fraudulent labeling due to the economic profit that results from selling cheaper meat as meat from more profitable and desirable species. A part from meat species adulteration, illegal poaching of endangered game species may take place contributing to threat of wildlife populations. These reasons have encouraged the development of methods to ensure fair trade and labeling of game meats from production level to consumer use of end products. In the last years, full attention has been turning towards implementation of molecular genetic approaches for meat species identification because of their high sensitivity and specificity, as well as rapid processing time and low cost. This work presents an overview of the main PCR-based techniques applied to date to verify the authenticity of meat and meat products from game species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild ungulate populations are increasing in Europe and Italy, with a consequent increase in culling rates and availability of their meats. Objectives of this review were to evaluate the trends of availability of meat from wild ungulates in Italy, to review the present knowledge on nutritional properties, sensorial characteristics, and hygiene problems of wild ungulate meat and to examine the critical steps that influence their hygiene and quality. Wild ungulate meat in Italy derives mainly from wild boar, roe deer and red deer and its availability has been increasing in the last decade. Total consumption of wild ungulate meat is low (0.1-0.3 kg per capita/year), but in some regions rises to significant levels, especially for hunters' families (1.0-4.0 kg per capita/year). Wild ungulate meats generally have a low fat content, although with a certain variability associated with gender, hunting season, age and physiological conditions, and a favourable fatty acid composition. In general, they are darker, less tender and characterised by a more intense and peculiar flavour than meats from domestic ruminants. However, these properties also show a great inter- and intra-specific variability. Risks for the consumer associated with contaminants (heavy metals, radionuclides, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls) and zoonoses are considered to be low. Critical steps from shooting in the field to the final marketing should be considered to ensure hygiene and quality of meats. Future research should focus on the variability of hunting modes, accuracy of shooting, field dressing and carcass processing, in order to understand how these practices influence the final microbiological and sensorial quality of wild ungulate meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Texas, introduced wild boars (Sus scrofa) consume mast crops that are high-quality foods sought by native wildlife. Because mast often is abundant but ephemeral, competition among species is expected. Relative rates of intake among individuals can determine how much mast can be obtained and digested. Our objective was to determine intake of mast by wild boars, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Trials were conducted with pods from honey mesquites (Prosopis glandulosa), acorns from live oaks (Quercus virginiana), and acorns from Shumard oaks (Quercus shumardii). Rate of intake of dry matter (g/min), rate of bites (bites/min), and size of bites (g/bite) were determined for each species. Despite their larger size, wild boars did not have consistently higher rates of intake than species of native wildlife. However, rates of intake for wild boars were among the highest for pods of honey mesquites and acorns of live oaks. Wild boars had low rates of intake for acorns of Shumard oaks, primarily because wild boars removed the shell, which increased handling time and reduced size of bite. Collared peccaries and raccoons also exhibited shelling behavior when consuming acorns, which reduced their intakes as well. White-tailed deer had relatively high rates of intake of mast compared to other species. Wild turkeys maintained the highest rates of bites for acorns of live oaks, which resulted in high rates of intake relative to body mass. The value of mast appears to be related to its size and shape, which may enable some species to attain higher rates of intake of dry matter than possible on browse and other foods. Moderate to high rates of intake of mast by wild boars, coupled with their ability to displace other species from feeding sites and obtain a higher-quality diet by discarding acorn shells should enable them to compete effectively with native species for mast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The meat quality of kudu and impala was compared. Live weight and carcass weight differed between species, genders and age groups. Impala had the highest dressing percentage while kudu had the highest live weight and carcass weight. Kudu had the lowest fat content while female animals had a higher fat and myoglobin content than males. Sub-adults had a higher ash content than adults. Species, gender and age had no effect of pH, drip loss, cooking loss or tenderness although kudu had higher L∗, a∗, b∗ and chroma values than impala. Impala sub-adults had significantly higher insoluble collagen, soluble collagen, total collagen and hydroxyproline content than kudu sub-adults. Kudu had the highest potassium levels while impala had the highest phosphorus levels. Potassium, sodium, iron and copper levels also differed between species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Game meat has distinct sensory characteristics and favourable fatty acid profiles which differ between species. The SFA’s percentage was found to be higher in impala meat (51.12%) than kudu meat (34.87%) whilst the total PUFA was higher in kudu (38.88%) than impala (34.06%). Stearic acid (22.67%) was the major fatty acid in impala and oleic acid in kudu (24.35). Linoleic acid, C20:3n-6 and C22:6n-3 were higher in kudu while C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 and C22:5n-3 were higher in impala. The PUFA:SFA ratio for kudu (1.22) was higher than for impala (0.73) while impala had a higher n-6 PUFA’s to n-3 PUFA ratio (3.76) than kudu (2.20). Kudu was higher in cholesterol (71.42±2.61mg/100gmuscle) than impala (52.54±2.73mg/100gmuscle). Sensory evaluation showed impala had a more intense game aroma and flavour while the initial juiciness of cooked samples of kudu was higher. The results show kudu and impala can be marketed for their unique flavours and aromas as well as being a healthy substitute for other red meats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Communal hunting of small game such as hares has probably occurred for 10,000 years in the Great Basin. Ethnohistoric accounts of the nineteenth century indicate that indigenous peoples communally hunted large game (e.g., pronghorn, mountain sheep, deer, bison) across much of western North America including the Plains, desert Southwest, California, and Great Basin subregions, during and immediately preceding the contact era. Research in the Plains subregion suggests that communal large game hunting occurred there prior to the adoption of the bow-and-arrow between ca. 1,500 and 2,000 years ago, and in fact may have occurred as early as 9,000 to 10,000 years ago. Nineteenth- and early twentieth-century ethnohistoric accounts suggest that communal pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) hunts involving the construction of a corral with associated wings were utilized by many Great Basin peoples at the time of historic contact. This paper asks: (1) did communal pronghorn hunts occur prior to the Protohistoric Period (before ca. 600 14C B.P.) in the north-central Great Basin? (2) if so, how ancient is this practice? and (3) did the methods or behaviors of the participants of these communal hunts vary through time? Detailed analysis of sites containing dozens, and in many cases, hundreds of projectile points that predate ca. 600 14C B.P. found in or near existing juniper branch corrals and wings suggest that communal pronghorn hunting has occurred for at least 4,000 to 5,000 years in the north-central Great Basin. Further, behavioral variability is seen through time in the material remains of these communal hunts, with earlier (Middle Archaic) communal kills characterized by greater use of local toolstone sources, gearing-up just prior to the kill, and perhaps a greater reliance on shooting the trapped pronghorn rather than clubbing compared to Protohistoric communal kills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife is a critical food resource throughout Amazonia. Consequently, adaptive management based on continued resource evaluation is essential to ensure long-term sustainable use of Amazonian wildlife. Since 1996, the Kaxinawá people of Western Amazonia have participated in a capacity-building program focused on natural resource management leading to the development of a territorial management plan that includes monitoring of wildlife use. In this study, we report the results of collaborative management-oriented research where hypotheses designed by the Kaxinawá about game availability within their territory were supported by the analysis of self-monitoring hunting data collected through a methodology designed in collaboration with conservation biologists. Results support Kaxinawá hypotheses that: (1) there is variation of game availability among villages in Kaxinawá territory; (2) preferred game species are more available to those villages closest to the isolated headwaters; and (3) previous land and wildlife use, present density of villages, and human population density are the main factors causing observed variations of game availability. The results of this study suggest the relevance and value of long-term participatory studies to complement short-terms academic studies of biodiversity and natural resource use and management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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The article focuses on the role of food in Indigenous tourist activities in Australia. It states that food is an important aspect of tourism and that there are an increasing number of tourists who travel for the sake of food appreciation. It mentions that Australian Aborigines do not have a culture of cultivation, perhaps due to the salinity of the soil, and comments on various foods used by Indigenous Australians, including kangaroo, emus, lizards, and various marine foods. It talks about the use of Indigenous food as a marketing tool to encourage tourism and on reasons for the lack of effort to promote Indigenous cuisine.

The environmental conditions become more "civilized" during the time and implicit less favorable in general for the game. It came into sight some trace regarding the qualitative and also the quantitative regress of the products and sub products from this domain. The analysis of the causal relations of the determinant factors and of the game population dynamic during the years showed that the actual situation is a consequence of some complex releasers factors (biotic and atrophic factors). We named the following from these factors: the environmental conditions of the game (climate, relief, temperature, humidity, the shelter, and the quit of this), the specie, the age, the gender of the game, the game fatten, the feed supplement, the stress before slaughter, the type of the used arms, electrocution of the game or other methods witch the game became unconsciously. Another category of factors refers to the treatment conditions after slaughter, respectively: the time to disembowel the game, the removal of the males' testicles, "the cooling and the correct manipulation during transportation of the game carcass, and the adequate storage of these carcasses for aging. In this paper we present some of these factors: age and gender, which affect the game meat quality. In this paper we describe the influence of gender and the age on game meat quality. The results of the experiences showed that the male's carcasses have higher contents in muscular and osseous tissue, comparative to the female's carcasses. The female's carcasses have higher contents in fat and conjunctive tissue, comparative to male's carcasses. Also, these results point out that younger game have soft meat, comparative to the adult game meat [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bushmeat market data can be used to detect hunting sustainability by using proxies such as decline in sale volume and price increases over time. Here, we explore these proxies for the Malabo market in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, the main bushmeat sale centre for the island. We gathered data during two sample phases (we call these ‘early’ and ‘later’) between March 1996 and October 1998, to test for evidence of faunal depletion during that period. Mammals (ungulates, rodents and primates) made up most of the bushmeat sold. Our analyses confirmed significant and sudden, rather than continuous, declines between phases, in total and individual animal group carcass volumes. Market species composition differed between phases; diversity indices and evenness increased in the later phase of the study. Price was related to species body mass and carcass condition (whether the carcass was smoked or fresh). Most species prices were higher in the later phase of the study. A total of 33 sites contributed bushmeat to the market, with over half of the recorded volume emerging from five sites in the south of the island. Bushmeat volume supplied from different regions of the island varied significantly between phases, and fewer sites contributed animals to the market during the later phase of the study. Proportionately more primates, ungulates but fewer rodents, appeared in the southern samples, compared with the northern. We suggest that in just over 2 years, hunting incursions, especially into the south of the island, may have resulted in drastic faunal losses. Subsequent data, collected by other authors, also indicate that the hunting spurt in the mid- and late-1990s may have irreversibly imperilled the island''s mammalian fauna, since numbers of these animals entering the market have not increased since our study period. Although the Equato-Guinean authorities have recently initiated mechanisms to better protect the country''s wildlife, through various legal and funding instruments, we suggest that these initiatives are likely to fail, if the social and environmental linkages are not fully understood to guide immediate restoration of such a unique African faunal assemblage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Large game animals and birds used for the commercial production of meat include deer of various species, wild boar and feral pigs, ostriches, emus and rheas, crocodiles and alligators, bison, and kangaroos. Meat from feral pigs and kangaroos is obtained from wild animals only, but much or most meat from the other game animals or birds is obtained from farmed animals. The microbiological conditions of meats from hunted animals can be compromised by poor placement of shots, the usual evisceration and sometimes further dressing of carcass in the field, and ageing of carcasses at ambient temperatures. However, the general microbiological conditions of carcasses from farmed game animals or birds slaughtered and dressed at suitable abattoirs can be comparable with or better than the microbiological conditions of carcasses from domestic animals or birds. The incidences of enteric pathogens on meat from wild or farmed game animals or birds can be less than those for meat from intensively reared domestic animals, but infection of some game meats with Trichinella or other foodborne parasites may occur. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the sustainable harvest of bushmeat or wildlife species used for food in Africa. According to the authors, there is a consensus that a bushmeat crises exists from both a conservation and development perspective. They argue for a more supportive and consistent bushmeat development policy. They suggest that bushmeat harvesting is usually a survival strategy rather than a development policy. They recommend managing for all values of wildlife by creating protected areas where no hunting is allowed, production forests where hunting is managed sustainably and farm bush areas which would be managed locally where harvesting is ensured.

The paper describes dose estimation for hunters and members of their families due to radionuclides 90Sr and 137Cs in meat of game hunted in Lithuania during two hunting seasons: 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. Research in the Nordic countries showed higher activity concentrations of both radionuclides in meat of game and higher doses to public consuming this meat. The scope of this investigation is radiological measurements of meat samples of game and dose estimation for hunters and members of their families. Measurements show that activity concentrations of 90Sr in samples of meat of game are less than for 137Cs. An average activity concentration of 90Sr in all the samples of meat of game analysed was 0,06±0,03 Bq/kg, for 137Cs - 7,8±4,6 Bq/kg. The highest activity concentration of 137Cs was measured in the sample of meat of moose from Matuiza forest near Varėna district, and it was 30,8±2,0 Bq/kg. It was estimated that an annual effective dose due to 90Sr in meat of game was in the range from 5,6 ∙10-10 Sv to 3,6 ∙10-8 Sv, due to 137Cs - in the range from 5,2 ∙10-8 Sv to 3,3 ∙10-6 Sv. The total dose due to 90Sr in meat of all the different kinds of game was 0,06 μSv, for 37Cs - 4,7 μSv. The results show that dose due to 137Cs in meat of game may be much higher than the total dose due to 90Sr and 137Cs in the whole daily food (1,3 μSv). This dose value was estimated for the public of Lithuania in 2005 and based on the results of food radiological monitoring at Radiation Protection Centre. The main conclusion drawn during this study is that radiological monitoring of meat of game is needed, and dose estimation based on the results of measurements is necessary to protect the public of Lithuania from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2003 outbreak of Ebola in the Republic of Congo killed 114 people and up to 800 western lowland gorillas. This outbreak and all outbreaks between 2001–2003 began with human handling of infected animal carcasses. Ebola has since spread, putting the entire gorilla population at risk. An epidemiological model is presented to describe the combined effects of Ebola and hunting on persistence of gorillas. The number of infected gorillas also provides a means of assessing the risk of transmission to humans. Under current harvest practices and the estimated annual outbreak rate, the gorilla population is predicted to undergo a 97% decline within 100 years. Controlling bushmeat hunting may not be enough to prevent extinction if frequent outbreaks occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to provide information on accumulation of polonium in tissues and organs of deer carvidae in order to assess the potential transport of this element via food-chain to game meat consumers. Livers, kidneys and muscles of large herbivorous animals belonging to three species: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), collected in Northern Poland, were the subject of the present investigation. Activities of 210Po were determined by means of alpha spectrometry along with relevant radiochemical procedures. The concentration of 210Po in analyzed animals decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle tissue. The average activity concentrations of 210Po ranged between 0.02 ± 0.01 Bq· kg- 1 w.w. in muscles and 7.15 ± 0.12 Bq· kg- 1 w.w. in kidneys. Levels of polonium were not influenced by sampling location, sex, age and species of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expectations, perceptions and purchasing behaviour of consumers of game meat were researched by a survey method using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 300 South African consumers and included 100 white, 100 coloured and 100 black consumers. It is evident that South African consumers perceive game meat differently than they do the 'traditional' meat types such as beef, mutton/lamb, chicken and pork. They do not consider game meat as a 'regular' type of meat, but rather as an exotic, seasonal product. Furthermore, South African consumers indicated that they are not willing to pay more for game meat than other types of meat. South African consumers indicated that they consider the fat content of meat as an important quality when they purchase meat, as they aspire towards consuming lean meat. This research not only shows that South African consumers are ill-informed regarding the positive attributes of game meat, but also that producers and marketers of game meat are not doing enough to promote game meat. This provides an excellent opportunity for game meat producers and marketers, as game meat is lower in fat than pork, lamb or beef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purchasing and marketing of game meat by supermarkets and butcheries in the Western Cape Province of South Africa was researched by the survey method. Two supermarket groups in South Africa indicated that they do market game meat, and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) was the species that most supermarkets sold. Both supermarket groups indicated that they would sell more game meat if available. They also mentioned that a central marketing structure would facilitate the sale of game meat and ensure consistent quality. Thirteen of the twenty butcheries that sell game meat were also in favour of a central marketing structure. The butcheries indicated that consumers are not adequately informed about the health benefits and cooking methods of game meat. Some of the meat buyers at butcheries were ignorant of the qualities of meat that are important when purchasing game meat. It is evident that game meat marketers should exercise stricter control over the quality of game meat, and that supermarkets and butcheries are not promoting game meat extensively enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the bushmeat trade or the hunting, trading and consumption of wild animals within the context of the field of human-animal interactions (HAI). Purpose of the study of HAI; Programs related to the bushmeat trade; Role of animals in the availability and accessibility of food for humans.

The perceptions and consumption of game meat by overseas tourists visiting the Western Cape, South Africa, was researched by means of the survey procedure using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The research group consisted of sixty tourists, most of whom were German and Belgian. All respondents indicated that they know game meat and have eaten it, while most respondents (86%) indicated that they like game meat and would eat it again. The respondents further indicated game meat as the meat type they most favoured to order in restaurants in South Africa. This provides an opportunity for the restaurant industry to market game meat on a larger scale. Respondents indicated that they are aware of the health benefits associated with game meat, but that they were not aware of any promotion of game meat in South Africa. Although only 10% of the respondents indicated that they themselves have hunted before, the culling of game animals did not concern most of them. Warthog was identified by the respondents as the game species that most have eaten in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes bushmeat commodity chain that supplies the city of Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Primary actors in the commodity chain; Patterns of trade in the Takoradi bushmeat commodity chain; Structure and operation of the commodity chain; Pattern of participation of primary actors in the commodity chain; Financial costs of participation in the Takoradi bushmeat commodity chain; Failure of the state to regulate the trade.

There has been widespread interest in the exposure of indigenous and subsistence populations to a variety of contaminants through the consumption of wild fish and game, yet there is little information on recreationists. Information on wild fish and game consumption in South Carolina are presented here, data on other sources of animal protein are presented elsewhere. Data are presented for use in probabilistic risk assessment. Fish and deer were the most commonly eaten wild-caught foods. High-end consumers were eating at nearly 10× the median consumption rate for most wild-caught foods. There were significant differences in consumption as a function of age and ethnicity that should be taken into account when conducting risk assessments for the consumption of wild-caught meat and fish. Men consumed more of these foods, while white sportsmen consumed more deer and black sportsmen consumed more fish. Similar data are not generally available, either for the U.S. as a whole, or for specific geographical locations, although there are data for self-caught fish because of the issuance of consumption advisories for U.S. waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]