Factors influencing the pattern of wildlife product consumption in Indochina: case study of Cambodia

Abstract

This study determines socio-demographic factors and knowledge of consumers on wildlife animals to the pattern of wildlife consumption in Cambodia. A sample of 200 consumers from major markets in Phnom Penh (capital), Koh Kong (border with Gulf of Thailand), Stung Treng (border with Laos) Kratie and Mondulkiri (border with Vietnam). A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, level of education, occupation, income, wildlife consumption, frequency of wildlife consumption, kind of wildlife animal used for local/domestic or international trade, etc. The results of multinominal logistic regression showed that consumers' place of birth and education level have a significant relationship with the pattern of wildlife consumption. The results indicate that local consumers working for the government are more likely to buy wildlife products for special party than those working at other sectors, but they seem not to choose wildlife products as medicine. Local consumers working as trader are more likely to consume wildlife products for their family gathering. Regarding the use of wildlife products as medicine, local consumers working for government are less likely to consume wildlife products than those working for company/NGO. The findings suggest that the government should target local people and specify different propaganda for people with varying sectors of occupation to reduce the use of wildlife products.