Wild animal attacks and other occupational risks perceived by Indigenous hunters and fishers in the Yangambi landscape

Nathalie van Vliet*, Francis Massé, Jonas Muhindo, Jonas Nyumu, Emmanuela Mbangale, Samuel Shephard*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Hunting and fishing support diverse food systems in tropical forest areas, but carry serious occupational risks. Health and safety at work is important to human wellbeing and constitutes an element of Indigenous rights. This issue has received attention in the regulated sector, but needs additional focus in subsistence and informal economies. We draw on semi-structured interviews with Turumbo hunters and fishers in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve region (DRC) to assess perceptions of occupational risk, especially attacks from wild animals. Fishers were concerned about drowning and cuts, while hunters cited bad weather and injuries from faulty equipment. There was gender-specific perception of risk from wild animals that reflected different roles: women noted snake bites and wasps, while men feared larger animals. Retaliatory behaviors among respondents included killing various species. The risks associated with fishing and hunting in tropical forests should be addressed in policies that consider the wellbeing of the poor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalHuman Dimensions of Wildlife
Early online date29 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 29 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Health and safety
  • sustainable use
  • tropical forests
  • UN SDGs
  • wildlife conflict
  • workplace injury

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