Increase in wild animal consumption across Central Africa
Drawing on data from more than 12,000 households across 252 locations, this study examines wild meat consumption in Central Africa from 2000 to 2022. Results show wild meat is a critical protein source for rural communities, while increasing demand from towns and cities is driving higher consumption and raising concerns for biodiversity conservation.
Subject Tags
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife
- Ecosystem management
Abstract
While human activities are driving widespread declines in wildlife populations1,2, in Central Africa, the meat of wild animals, or wild meat, represents a major component of the diets of millions of people3. To halt faunal degradation while ensuring sustainable use of wildlife, it is crucial to understand the scale and drivers of wild meat consumption. Here, using data from over 12,000 households from 252 locations in Central Africa, we show that wild meat is a fundamental component of the diets of rural populations, accounting for 20% of the recommended daily protein intake, compared with 13% and 6% for those living in towns and cities. We estimate that the total annual biomass of wild meat consumed in Central Africa increased from 0.73 million to 1.10 million tonnes between 2000 and 2022, with increasing demand from towns and cities. To ensure that wild meat is available to rural communities, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals4 and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework5, reducing wild meat consumption in urban metropolises is key. While our results are based on the most comprehensive dataset available, the geographical coverage is incomplete and the dataset represents a minimal fraction of the entire population of Central Africa. Targeted studies are needed to validate our model and assess critical areas of intervention.
Citation
Bessone, M., Ingram, D.J., Abernethy, K. et al. Increase in wild animal consumption across Central Africa. Nature 653, 1092–1098 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10422-w
TNC Authors
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John R. Poulsen
Global Director of Science Capacity/Deputy Director of One Conservancy Science. Global Science
The Nature Conservancy
Email: john.poulsen@tnc.org