Kenya-Land Rover help combat illegal meat trade.

Land Rover to Support Efforts in Halting Illegal Bushmeat Trade

February 20, 2009

By Benson Kong

A disturbing increase in the illegal bushmeat trade in Kenya has prompted Land Rover and the international wildlife charity Born Free to increase their efforts and raise awareness regarding the serious nature of the illicit trade. According to Born Free, the increase in bushmeat trading arose due to the global recession, rising food prices, and a recent rash of crop failures in Kenya.

Bushmeat covers a variety of wild and free-range animals, including, but not limited to apes, various rodents, and wild birds. Bushmeat trading not only depletes the wild of its natural inhabitants, as human consumption of bushmeat can lead to serious health problems including foot-and-mouth disease and tuberculosis. Born Free’s 2004 figures indicated that as much as 40% of meat being sold as beef or goat in certain Nairobi butcheries were either wholly or partially bushmeat.

The bushmeat trade is not localized to Kenya either, as the latest figures have indicated that nearly 7500 metric tons of illegal meat products enter the United Kingdom annually, under the disguise of being "beef." Much of the so-called "beef" enters the nation through personal luggage, and more than half of the illegal meat is distributed through wholesalers or sold at local street markets.

To assist in the active prevention of the bushmeat trade, Land Rover will supply the necessary 4x4 vehicles to tackle the Kenyan terrain, where snare and trap removal will take place, along with taking on poachers out in the open.

Take a look at the Born Free and Land Rover anti-poaching awareness film at www.bornfree.org.uk/bushmeat.

Source: Land Rover UK