Unsustainable wildlife hunting and trade are among the most pressing conservation and public health challenges in tropical Africa. While bushmeat remains an essential source of food and income for many rural communities, increasing hunting pressure threatens biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and human health through the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Developing sustainable solutions therefore requires an integrated understanding of the ecological, social and economic drivers shaping wildlife use.

Our general objective is to evaluate the sustainability of wildlife hunting and trade in southern Benin by investigating the socio-ecological system linking the Lama Classified Forest, the Tègon bushmeat market and the Abomey traditional medicine market. Through this integrated platform, we aim to identify the ecological and health impacts of hunting while assessing its importance for local livelihoods.

Through SHUNT, we implement a transdisciplinary approach combining biodiversity monitoring, genomics, ecosystem health assessment, zoonotic surveillance, socio-economic analyses and participatory research with local communities and stakeholders. By integrating these complementary perspectives, SHUNT will provide science-based recommendations to promote the sustainable management of wildlife resources and strengthen One Health strategies in tropical Africa.

Emilie Lecompte (co-coordinator)
Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement (CRBE)
Université de Toulouse
France

Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun (co-coordinator)
Laboratoire d’Ecologie Appliquée (LEA)
Université d’Abomey Calavi
Benin

Fifanou Vodouhé
Laboratoire d’Analyse et de Recherche sur les Dynamiques Économiques et Sociales (LARDES)
Université de Parakou
Benin

Anges Yadoulèton
Laboratoire de Diagnostic des Fièvres Hémorragiques (LDFH)
Ministère de la Santé
Cotonou
Benin

Jean-Robert Klotoé
Unité de Recherche en Microbiologie Appliquée (URMAPHA)
Université d’Abomey Calavi
Benin

Bruno Djossa
Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières (LaSVHF)
Université Nationale d’Agriculture
Porto-Novo
Benin

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