Sustainable wildlife management and legal commercial use of bushmeat in Colombia: the resource remains at the cross-road

SUMMARY Most countries in the Amazon have no clear policy frameworks to provide a legal path for sustainable wildlife management (SWM), including the commercial use of bushmeat. In Colombia, despite efforts to provide more local autonomy in the management of natural resources and the openness towards the sustainable use of wildlife since the 1970s, there are still a number of legal and technical impediments that need to be addressed. In this research, we first compiled evidence of the current illegal trade of bushmeat to justify the need to clarify legal frameworks regulating the activity. Then, we explore the opportunities for legal commercial hunting by rural communities and highlight current bottlenecks. Finally, we report on lessons learnt from past initiatives of sustainable bushmeat use in the country. In our conclusion, we provide some practical recommendations to promote the sustainable use of wildlife, clarify the definition of commercial use for subsistence purposes and legalize sustainable local bushmeat trade by rural communities.