In central Africa, many communities rely on wild meat as a key source of nutrition, particularly in rural areas near the Congo rainforest. Multiple sources describe wild meat as a major part of diets for millions of people, largely because alternatives from domestic livestock are limited. They point to constraints such as poor transport and market infrastructure between farms and consumers, ongoing livestock diseases, and shortages of animal feed. As a result, domesticated animal meat is often scarce, making wild meat and freshwater fish among the main sources of animal protein and key micronutrients. The sources argue that blanket policy approaches—specifically outright bans on wild meat—can create additional pressures on food security by removing an important food supply without providing readily available substitutes. Overall, the reporting frames the issue as a trade-off between conservation goals and the immediate dietary needs of vulnerable populations who depend on wildlife resources for sustenance.