A brand new examine printed by researchers from the College of Oxford, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CIFOR-ICRAF, and institutional companions reveals a disconnect between media and public perceptions of the dangers of consuming wild meat in Central Africa throughout COVID-19, and sheds gentle on the complicated relationship between media reporting, group beliefs, and habits change—providing essential classes for wildlife administration and public well being methods.
The work seems in Individuals and Nature.
Perceptions of untamed meat within the media
“Media articles tended to emphasise the dangers of a virus spill-over from wild meat to people,” mentioned lead creator Yuhan Li, DPhil Pupil on the College of Oxford’s Division of Biology. “Nevertheless, our outcomes present that individuals’s perceptions have been extra influenced by their private expertise, and that their meals decisions have been largely decided by the worth and availability of untamed and home meats.”
Wild meat is a big supply of meals and revenue era in Central Africa. Nevertheless, little is thought of how the assumed hyperlink between COVID-19 and wild meat consumption has been mentioned by the media and acquired by the general public.
COVID-19 introduced elevated media consideration to wild meat consumption and altered public perceptions and acknowledged consumption behaviors associated to meat consumption in Central Africa. Researchers analyzed over 260 media articles from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon, and the Republic of Congo alongside telephone surveys of greater than 3,600 individuals in Cameroon and DRC.
The examine discovered that though media protection usually emphasised illness dangers related to wild meat (61% of articles that mentioned zoonotic dangers), public beliefs have been extra nuanced. In truth, a big share of respondents considered domesticated purple meat—not wild meat—because the riskiest protein supply for illness. Moreover, whereas almost half of Cameroonian respondents reported consuming much less wild meat resulting from well being issues, one-third of DRC respondents mentioned they elevated consumption as a result of shortage and price of options.
Altering consumption via communication
Analysis on social perceptions round wild meat is vital for informing interventions which are each culturally applicable and efficient. Bans on buying and selling wild meat have been broadly mentioned within the media as a possible coverage response to COVID-19, however there was a scarcity of consensus amongst respondents that this could be probably the most applicable coverage: views have been divided in Cameroon, whereas assist was stronger in DRC and opposition decrease.
“If we need to shift behaviors round wild meat consumption in Central Africa, we have to begin by listening,” explains Lude Kinzonzi (Wildlife Conservation Society), one of many co-authors. “Prime-down bans or generic well being warnings not often work. What makes the distinction are approaches grounded in actual group wants and motivations, optimistic campaigns constructed on proof, amplified by trusted native voices, and supported by viable options. And which means options not only for customers, but in addition for others alongside the worth chain, like distributors.
“With out choices on the availability facet, even probably the most promising interventions danger being undermined.”
The authors name for evidence-based communication campaigns, collaboration with trusted native influencers, and focused, context-specific coverage measures.
These needs to be complemented by increasing entry to protected and inexpensive wild meat substitutes, and by investing in stronger native establishments, regulation enforcement, and monitoring techniques. A multifaceted strategy can assist obtain each biodiversity conservation and human well being outcomes, notably in areas the place wild meat stays a vital part of meals safety and livelihoods.
Extra info:
The influence of COVID-19 on public perceptions of untamed meat in Central Africa, Individuals and Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.70094
Quotation:
A media–public disconnect exists on wild meat narratives in central Africa throughout COVID-19 (2025, July 25)
retrieved 25 July 2025
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