The hunting of wildlife for bushmeat continues to be a source of contention between conservationists, who oppose the hunting of endangered species, and locals, who hunt wild animals in the African jungles for food. A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley adds some weight to the argument in favour of the locals. Evidence supports the claim that bushmeat is an important source of nutrition for people living in these areas. Researchers monitored the diet and health of children in Madagascar and estimated that a loss of local wildlife as a source of food could cause a rise of up to 29 per cent in the incidence of childhood anemia. Anemia is caused by a lack of iron — in this case, from not eating enough iron-rich foods such as meat. These findings send the message that although conservationists are doing well to protect endangered species, we must find ways to do so without endangering human lives.
Source: Science Daily
