A hidden food boom across Central Africa is pushing wildlife and rural diets toward a precarious edge

The total annual biomass of wild meat consumed across Central Africa has increased from an estimated 0.73 million metric tons in 2000 to 1.10 million metric tons in 2022. This increase is threatening wildlife populations and raising concerns about long-term nutritional security in rural areas. A study published in Nature provides the first quantitative spatial and temporal analysis of wild meat consumption in Central Africa, revealing a sharp increase in demand that is largely driven by urban populations.