Former bush meat seller joins campaigners flying with MAF to protect iconic species such as chimpanzee.
Comfort Davies spent about 20 years supporting her family by selling bush meat, but now she is campaigning to stamp out the illegal trade and protect Liberia’s precious wildlife.
Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation are working together to stop the killing of chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants, and other protected species for food.
It’s a difficult task, but the involvement of former bush meat sellers like Comfort is helping to change attitudes.
Before flying with MAF from Monrovia, Comfort said: “I resigned from doing bush meat market because of the love of our country Mama Liberia.
“I am representing the rest of the others, local women who left the business, and I am still on the field making an impact for local business women who are involved to avoid such business.
I resigned from doing bush meat market because of the love of our country Mama Liberia
Also, on the MAF flight was Peaches Cummeh, awareness and ecotourism officer at Forestry Development Authority, who said it was important to educate people who still earn a living from the trade.
“Local business women who are ignorant to the law are destroying our forest, our species are leaving the forest and are travelling to different countries, with that, most of our wildlife animals, like elephants, leopards, snakes and chimpanzees, difficult to be seen in the forest,” said Peaches.
“We are travelling to Harper, River Gee, and Pleebo Market, the trip mainly involves training and recruiting local bush meat sellers. Some of the lesson teaches about the different types of species that is hunted in Liberia’s forest and the importance of animal within the forest.”
Peaches said the project, supported by European Union funding, is able to reach sellers in regional Liberia thanks to reliable flights with MAF.
“If it was not for MAF, it would be difficult to get rid of bush meat selling within Liberia,” she said.
“With our flight journey to remote villages, lots of encouragement is seen, and the illegal business in the bush is reducing.
“I believe, the awareness of bush meat selling will spread out in the ten counties that FDA are operating, and other counties will see the importance of protecting God’s creatures.
“It is so amazing to have the animals in the forest for adventure, for visitors who travel from different countries to visit Liberia’s forest to see the different kinds of species found.”
It is so amazing to have the animals in the forest for adventure, for visitors... to see the different kinds of species
Illegal killing of wildlife, eating protected wildlife, keeping them as pets or trading and trafficking of protected species in Liberia is forbidden by law, and violators are prosecuted, fined, or jailed when found guilty.
Comfort, who used to sell the meat at Liberia’s popular Red-Light Market, says it is a relief to no longer be involved in the industry.
“I feel so good, it is like you have a bundle that you are carrying on your head now, I am free, and I am happy to work for my country to share the awareness with those involved in illegal business,” she added.
“I was one of the distributors and a leader at the Red-Light Market. If I can change today, I know others could do the same.
“A big hand of applause to MAF for their excellent job in Liberia, please continue your good service for us to spread the good information on the illegal act that is happening within the forests of Liberia.”
