Outright bans on wild meat risk undermining food security for millions in central Africa, where domestic meat remains scarce.
In rural areas around the Congo rainforest, poor transport infrastructure, livestock diseases, and limited forage make farmed animals unavailable. Wild meat and freshwater fish provide essential proteins and micronutrients.
The dilemma pits conservation goals against human nutrition. A blanket prohibition could push vulnerable populations deeper into hunger without alternative protein sources.
Data from the region show that domestic meat is not a viable substitute. Without infrastructure improvements, any hardline approach risks harming the very people it aims to protect.
Critics argue that sustainable management, not prohibition, offers a better path forward for both people and wildlife.