Authors: Boissier, Olivier; Su, Shan;Kolani, Zebigou;Arcilla, Nico;

Direct wildlife harvesting is one of the most pressing threats to biodiversity, especially in the tropics. While in Asia the issue of wildlife trade for uses other than food, such as traditional Chinese medicine, has attracted a lot of international attention and scientific study, in Africa the vast majority of research has been focusing on bushmeat hunting and trade, which have led so many of the continent’s species to population collapse if not to the brink of extinction. However, comparatively very little light has been shed on the extent and impacts of wildlife trade for traditional uses other than food in Africa. The local use of wildlife as fetish is prevalent along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Here we report on the fetish market of Lomé, Togo, the largest in West Africa. Market surveys were conducted in July 2021 and February-April 2022. Globally threatened species were widely and openly sold. These include many Hooded and African White-backed Vulture (CR), pangolins (EN/VU), primates, hornbills, among many other bird, mammal and reptile species. All vendors come from Benin, and many species are unlikely to originate from Togo. Accurate figures on numbers and prices will be given during the presentation.