First record of Angola’s medicinal animals: A case study on the use of mammals in local medicine in Quiçama National Park

Abstract

This study is the first record of the use of animal products in traditional medicine in Angola. Data were obtained by performing interviews with the users of these products who use parts derived from wild mammals to treat 12 diseases. It was found that one or more products that were derived from the same species can be used to treat a variety of diseases, showing the versatility of the species. All the taxa used for animal-derived therapies in the study area are also used in other African countries, often for the treatment of the same illnesses. Four of the medicinal animals used are threatened species, demonstrating that the use of wild mammals in folk medicine should be included in management and conservation plans of these animals.