The drivers of wild meat consumption in rural Cameroon: Insights for wild meat alternative project design

In rural Cameroon, wild meat is preferred over domestic livestock or fish, driven by taste and perceived health benefits, not just availability. A study of 542 people across four villages near the Dja Faunal Reserve revealed that while some favored species like porcupine and blue duiker are abundant, others, such as endangered pangolin, are sought for their flavor despite conservation risks. Taboos, appearance, and health concerns deter consumption of certain species, particularly great apes and large ungulates. Village-level variations in preferences suggest factors like proximity to markets, reserve access, and law enforcement influence behavior. These findings challenge assumptions about alternative meat projects, emphasizing the need to tailor interventions to local drivers—taste and health—to balance conservation and food security goals.

Brittain, S., Kamogne Tagne, C. T., Roe, D., Booker, F., Mouamfon, M., Maddison, N., Ngomna Tsabong, S. D., Mfone Nteroupe, S., & Milner‐Gulland, E. J. (2022). The drivers of wild meat consumption in rural Cameroon: Insights for wild meat alternative project design. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12700