The Yangtze giant softshell turtle Rafetus swinhoei is the rarest turtle species, with just two individuals known to be surviving, one male in a zoo in China and one individual recently identified as a female in the wild in Viet Nam. As the species is on the brink of extinction, it is an urgent priority to search for additional individuals in the wild, and for areas where it may still be present. Here, we analysed areas where the species may still occur, identified through interview surveys in Viet Nam. In addition, we introduced a novel system for evaluating the potential for occurrence of this rare and elusive freshwater turtle, using a conservation priority index. This index was based on three recorded variables: (1) probability of the species' presence based on interviews with local fishers, (2) degree of habitat alteration, and (3) fishing intensity, with the latter two based on experts’ evaluation of the sites where the species could potentially be present. There were at least 13 independent, reliable sightings in the 2010s, seven of which were in 2018–2019, indicating that R. swinhoei potentially persists in the wild. Although the species was confirmed at only one site, there are at least three more sites where it is likely to be present, and 13 sites of conservation interest. We provide a description of all sites where the species is potentially present, and a summary of relevant interviews. The Da River system has the highest number of recent sightings. We recommend that a research and conservation project be initiated urgently, and outline how such a project could be implemented.

To explore the patterns of bushmeat trade in the Sahel we carried out a multidisciplinary study, focusing on Burkina Faso. We conducted baseline interview surveys to examine the variation in people's perceptions of bushmeat in relation to their place of residence (urban vs rural), sex and age. We also analysed the long-term (1985–2010) population dynamics of two ungulate species, the oribi Ourebia ourebi and the common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, known to be among the main targets of the bushmeat trade locally. For the antelopes we chose as our study area a protected area (Nazinga Game Ranch) where poaching activities occur and are likely to represent a threat to the local wildlife. The results of the interviews underlined significant differences in bushmeat consumption between rural and urban areas. In particular, the probability of finding people who did not consume bushmeat increased in the urban area, where bushmeat is less available than in the rural areas. Sex and age did not have any effect on people's perceptions of bushmeat. In Burkina Faso bushmeat is still widely consumed, and this could be because the bushmeat trade is poorly controlled, with a lack of enforcement of the legislation. Long-term field surveys revealed that the oribi and the common duiker have declined significantly in Nazinga Game Ranch, suggesting that the bushmeat trade in Burkina Faso may have negative consequences in terms of the conservation outlook for these species.