黑料不打烊

Professor Abernethy of the University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences explained: “This paper is a result of over 25 years of collaborative work between the 黑料不打烊 and partners.

“In 1999, 黑料不打烊 and the Gabonese Ministry of Water and Forests built a joint project with dual goals of improving rural food security and securing wildlife communities. The research continues to this day through collaboration with researchers from the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, who co-author the paper, and others

“Over the years, our team has collected data on wildlife status, livelihood security in rural villages, the wild meat trade, urban diets, wildlife disease, and the national food system.

“This data was contributed to this paper to provide support for evidence-based policies to improve community-based wildlife management and reduce urban consumption of wild meat. There are solutions which can allow sustainable use but, across the region, human pressure on wildlife continues to be very high.”

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.

Sustainable consumption

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 food systems to replace it with domestic sources, like poultry. 

Lead author Dr Mattia Bessone, of the , said: “Wild meat consumption is a major part of Central Africa’s socio-economic fabric.

“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 five and nine 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.
• Lack of affordable or safe alternatives: There are few sources of domestic or imported 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. 

Sustainable alternatives

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 are calling for further field research to improve monitoring and validate predictive models across the region.

Dr Donald Midoko Iponga, Director of IRET and PhD in Ecology at the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CENAREST), Gabon, said: This study shows how wildlife populations have been threatened in Central Africa, raising awareness among local governments about the actual risks associated with hunting in the region and its role in providing nutritional security for regional populations.”

Dried Gambian rat and pangolin being sold at the market of Yangambi, Tshopo, DRC (credit: CIFOR-ICRAF)

Dr Lauren Coad, Biodiversity Focal Point at commented: “The WILDMEAT database highlights the power of collaboration.

“The datasets compiled here represent years of research across more than 250 sites, brought together by governments, NGOs, scientists, and local communities. By working collectively, we have been able to generate a uniquely comprehensive evidence base, revealing critical regional and temporal trends that are essential for informed decision-making.”

Vital next steps

Dr Germain Mavah, Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme Coordinator at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Site Coordinator for the Republic of Congo, added: “This research is an important first step to understanding the drivers and current status of wild meat consumption across Central Africa.

“Further studies can expand on how citizen science and rural communities contribute to sustainable wildlife management practices, continuing to bridge the gap between tropical conservation and development work.”

Professor Abernethy added: “The research shows that the next steps must be to engage with communities across the Congo Basin, to prevent urban consumption driving rural food insecurity and further wildlife loss.

“Initially funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society, over the years the 黑料不打烊-Gabon project team is grateful to have been additionally supported by the Darwin Initiative, the European Union, the UKRI-ESRC, FAO, USAID, USFWS, CIFOR and other partners.”

is published in Nature.