One of the most pressing issues of our time is the trade in wild meat. why? Because millions are being consumed and billions are at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income to some of Africa and Asia’s poorest and most remote communities, but overexploitation causes ecosystem instability and threatens the destruction of endangered species.
In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven primarily by protein and the rarity of meat (“the meat of the poor”). In some regions, such as East and Southeast Asia, they can be found in restaurants that serve as high-priced exotic delicacies (“rich status”).
However, consuming wild meat presents a great danger and challenge. World wild meat trade can promote biodiversity losses, fuel illegal markets, and spread disease. The trade in wildlife, where wildlife and wild meat are often sold, and so-called wet markets, encourage the emergence of diseases such as Ebola and HIV, which can infect humans from animals.
These issues are the focus of recently released landmark research. New approaches are needed to analyse wildlife exploitation. It focuses on consumers and consumers, not wildlife or hunting communities.
Most of the previous studies on wild meat have been done by people who want to stop it on the livelihood and nutritional benefits for the poor. Our research focuses on consumption and balances conservation, community development, animal welfare and epidemic prevention.
We are experts in livestock and sustainable development and the author of the report. We worked for over a year to analyze and integrate the trade in wild meat, focusing on African and Asian hotspots.
We argue that because the wild meat trade is here for the near future, policymakers and implementers should consider offering better management of global wild meat trade, reducing and managing wildlife agriculture, and alternatives to wild meat consumption by the poor.
We must find ways to balance the benefits and risks of wild meat consumption in ways that protect human health, wildlife welfare and our environment.
The importance of the wild meat trade
Based on previous research and systematic literature reviews, our report found that global trade in wild meat is widespread. Annual revenue ranges from US$1 billion in Africa to US$8-11 billion, from illegal trade in Southeast Asia to US$74 billion from wildlife agriculture in China.
The amount of wild meat consumed is also important, and is often much higher than domestic meat. On average, African foraging people consume 16kg of wild meat and 38kg of wild meat per year. The average annual livestock meat consumption per person in Africa is approximately 16.7kg.
In at least 60 countries, wildlife and wild fish were found to contribute at least 20% of animal protein in rural homes. When high poverty places, wildlife-rich and lacking access to affordable, domesticated meat and markets, many households turn to wildlife hunting.
Not sustainably harvested
Unlike domesticated meat, which originated from just 20 or so species, the trade in wild meat includes hundreds of species. In Africa, about 500 species are hunted, and in Southeast Asia there are around 300 species.
Except for some small, faster-speed species such as rodents, current extraction rates for wild meat are unsustainable. Generally, groups (hoove animals) tend to be hunted most frequently, followed by large rodents and primates. Near human settlements, animals with large bodies tend to be driven out over time and replaced by smaller species that breed at faster rates and thus hunt more sustainably (such as duakers and large rodents).
Illegal trade in wild meat is increasingly moving online, with Asia being both a major supplier and consumer. Smuggling adds to hunting pressure as wildlife is harvested not only for local needs but also for global markets. There is some evidence that hunting slowed extraction speeds and created a “Sky Forest.” Although bans can reduce hunting, they may also drive trade underground.
Climate change is already increasing the extraction of wild meat by making it difficult to cultivate plants and livestock. Research shows that several important ecosystems, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, are rapidly decreasing wildlife associated with climate change and land use changes.
Tackling the challenge of wild meat
Leaving away from the practices of wild meat in poor countries presents a complex challenge.
Replacing wild protein sources with commercially raised livestock is also extremely expensive for low-income households and governments. Furthermore, it is estimated that increased livestock production to replace wild meat losses will increase deforestation and require approximately 124,000 km² of additional farmland.
There are several solutions, but these are context-dependent.
When wildlife hunting is prevalent, such as in the African and Asian forest margins, alternative protein sources can reduce the demand for wild meat by providing sustainable and culturally accepted protein sources. Examples include the cane rats of West and Central Africa, Nile tilapia, catfish from Africa, cubbys (guinea pigs) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and bamboo rats from Southeast Asia. High-period “mini livestock” such as rabbits, cane mice, cubes, capybara and giant African snails can provide home meat in a relatively short period of time. However, attempts to promote alternative animals have little success. We recommend that paying people to not hunt or subsidize alternative meat may be more effective and viable.
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Hundreds of thousands of people rely on wildlife hunting. Rather than trying to criminalize hunters or turn them into farmers of inappropriate lands, it may make more sense to pay to avoid hunting by giving them free or subsidized meat.
Promoting the disgust caused by wild meat is also a promising channel for changing consumption behavior. Society often and sometimes quickly moves from finding “different” meat to finding something attractive. In Britain, for example, Ophral was eaten by the poor and then in the early modern period before becoming a fashion food for British gentlemen. Behavioral science can be used to fine-tune these changes in mind in the right direction.
This study provides new insights into the wild meat trade. Hunting wildlife, deeply embedded in human culture, is always not immediately disappearing. However, sustainable practices can balance human and ecosystem health with wildlife conservation, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.
Delia Grace, Professor of Food Safety Systems and Contributing Scientist ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute, Institute of Natural Resources (UK)
Hung Nguyen-Viet, Co-Leader, Animal and Human Health Program, International Institute of Livestock
Steve Staal, Fellow, International Institute of Livestock Research
