The study, published in the June issue of the journal One Health, warns that social media may be increasing the illegal sale of bushmeat in West Africa. Researchers analysed Facebook posts from 2018 to 2022, examining five pages in Côte d’Ivoire and one in Nigeria. From those pages they identified 25 bushmeat species, including mammals, birds and reptiles. Almost two-thirds were advertised as smoked, while others were sold fresh, cooked or alive.
Five of the six pages directed customers to the end-to-end encrypted messaging app WhatsApp; others used Facebook Messenger. The study describes these strategies as being "designed to evade detection", which complicates tracing and regulation. Lead author Georgia Moloney, a doctoral candidate at the University of Adelaide, said the team wanted to see whether social media links vendors in Africa with consumers elsewhere and warned platforms are used for illegal wildlife trade despite existing rules.
In Nigeria a new bill called the "Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill" passed a first reading earlier this year. Some sellers defend the trade, while conservationists call for stronger controls at borders, faster prosecutions and better regulation to reduce illegal sales.
Difficult words
- bushmeat — wild animals or meat sold for food
- encrypt — to change information so only some can readencrypted
- evade — to avoid something on purpose
- regulation — rule made by government or other authority
- conservationist — person who protects nature and wild animalsconservationists
- prosecution — legal action against someone for a crimeprosecutions
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Should social media companies do more to stop illegal wildlife sales? Why or why not?
- What steps could governments take to reduce the illegal sale of bushmeat?
- Have you ever seen online ads for wild animals or wildlife products? How did that make you feel?
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