A study in Nature co-authored by researchers in the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at Kent provides the first quantitative spatial and temporal analysis of wild meat consumption in Central Africa, revealing a sharp increase in demand that is largely driven by urban populations.
The total annual biomass of wild meat consumed across Central Africa has increased from an estimated 0.73 million tonnes in 2000 to 1.10 million tonnes in 2022. This increase is threatening wildlife populations and raising concerns about long-term nutritional security in rural areas.
These findings are the result of a collaboration between the University of Kent and the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the University of Stirling, the Centre for Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) at University of Konstanz, and the Institute for Research on Tropical Ecology (IRET) in Gabon.
Balancing food security and conservation
Meat from wild animals is fundamental for the diets of many rural populations, accounting for 20% of the recommended daily protein intake. However, as wild meat trade continues to increase across the region, the scale of consumption is likely to be unsustainable.
To ensure that this important nutrition source remains available for rural communities, the study recommends reducing demand for wild meat in urban areas and developing domestic food systems to replace wild with domestic meat sources like poultry.
‘Wild meat consumption is a major part of Central Africa’s socio-economic fabric,’ said lead author Dr Mattia Bessone. ‘Ensuring sustainable consumption of wild meat is critical for countries in the region to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to meet Targets 5 and 9 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which aim to attain the sustainable use of wild species under the Convention on Biological Diversity.’
Drivers of wild meat consumption include:
- Nutrition and food security: wild meat is an essential source of protein for many rural communities, accounting for 20% of the recommended daily protein intake.
- Lack of affordable or safe alternatives: there are few sources of domestic meats available across Central Africa. Limited access to veterinary care and medicines makes livestock production risky and can pose human health risks, particularly in rural areas.
- Sociocultural values: wild meat is perceived as healthier than domestic or imported meats; it is also a status symbol.
The study highlights the need for coordinated investments in national food systems, including the expansion of alternative protein sectors such as poultry and fisheries. It also underscores the importance of creating alternative livelihoods for those currently dependent on the wild meat trade.
The findings draw on the most comprehensive dataset to date, covering more than 12,000 households across 252 locations in Central Africa. However, significant data gaps remain, and the authors call for further field research to improve monitoring and validate predictive models across the region.
Dr Daniel Ingram, a Research Fellow in Conservation and Sustainability at Kent, said: ‘Our study highlights the role of wild-sourced meat in the diets of people living in the Congo Basin, a necessary step towards designing equitable and sustainable solutions to balance the needs of people and wildlife.’
Analysis for this study was supported by the EU-funded Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, which is currently piloting field projects in 16 countries. The initiative is implemented by a dynamic consortium of four partners, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Data was collected through the WILDMEAT project (www.wildmeat.org), which has been supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).