The need
Unsustainable hunting for bushmeat is a key threat to biodiversity and food security in Central Africa. While evidence bases and decision-support tools exist that can be used to develop effective policies and practices for sustainable wildlife management, regional awareness of and capacity to use these resources is often lacking, with limited cross-country sharing of experiences.
The governments of Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Gabon are all at different stages of reforming their bushmeat policies, and the Central Africa Bushmeat Research Into Policy (CA-BRIP) network aims to support them on their journey to develop sustainable, equitable, and safe bushmeat systems across the region.
Duration
Ongoing
Locations
Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gabon
What we’re doing
The CA-BRIP network is a platform for debate and dialogue that bridges research and policy development to improve wildlife-resource governance across the region.
Its members envision a future where species sold and consumed for bushmeat (both urban and rural) are not sourced from protected areas and are not on the IUCN or national red lists of endangered species. To do this, CA-BRIP provides national policy makers with on-request analyses and information to inform their decisions. Additional objectives include:
- Capacity building for researchers and practitioners in Central Africa, especially related to the production, processing and use of scientific data for decision-making, as well as fundraising and communication skills.
- Producing, harmonizing and disseminating scientific papers and policy briefs to improve understanding of the dynamics governing bushmeat use in Central African countries and inform targeted decision making.
- Facilitating spaces for dialogue among stakeholders (e.g. researchers, policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders involved in bushmeat use and management)
- Promoting the development and implementation of concerted, evidence-informed policies.
CA-BRIP takes a decentralized approach to implementation; its network includes technical partners and diverse members who represent both institutions and individuals.
The team
CA-BRIP is founded by five institutions, which make up the General Assembly: The Institute for Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD-Cameroon), the Institute for Research in Tropical Ecology (IRET – Gabon), the Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands (ERAIFT – DRC), Landscape Alliance (CIFOR & ICRAF in action), and the University of Oxford. This General Assembly defines CA-BRIP’s strategic priorities and priority action plans.
At the regional level, the network is managed by a General Coordinator who represents CA-BRIP and ensures its overall operation. The General Coordinator is supported by focal points in each country.
Leadership
Eric D. Nana
General Coordinator and Country Focal Point, Cameroon
Donald Midoko Iponga
Country Focal Point, Gabon
Krossy Mavakala
Country Focal Point, DRC
Advisory group
Juliet Wright
Advisor | University of Oxford
Lauren Coad
Advisor | Landscape Alliance
Guillermo R. Brull
Advisor | Landscape Alliance
Featured work
Supporters
This initiative is generously supported by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative, with additional funding from the European Union (EU) Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme through Landscape Alliance and from Research England through an International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA), awarded to the University of Oxford.
