Wild Meat Consumption in Changing Rural Landscapes of Indonesian Borneo

1. Wild meat can play a crucial role in the food system of rural
communities residing near tropical forests. Yet, socio-ecological changes
across tropical landscapes are impacting the patterns and sustainability of
meat consumption.
2. To understand the prevalence, frequency, and drivers of wild meat,
domestic meat and fish consumption in this context, we implemented
structured questionnaires across 28 villages in two forested landscapes of
Central Kalimantan, a region of Indonesian Borneo characterised by
forest-dependent livelihoods.
3. Across the 632 male household heads surveyed, the primary reason
for consumption at the species-level was taste, followed by ease of
access. Conversely, the main reasons for not consuming wild meat more
People and Nature: Confidential review copy
often were cost and low availability.
4. The frequency of wild meat consumption was relatively low, with most
respondents consuming it less than once every six months. However,
local perceptions of biodiversity change and reported difficulties in
accessing wild meat suggest this modest consumption was due to
declining availability.
5. Freshwater fish was consumed daily by most respondents, serving as
an important animal protein in both landscapes. However, we found a
positive association between greater well-being and higher odds of
consuming wild meat more frequently. This trend likely reflects disparity
in access, with individuals of higher well-being status better positioned to
obtain this declining resource.
6. Our findings highlight the multiple environmental and anthropogenic
stressors concurrently affecting both terrestrial and aquatic animal
populations in Central Kalimantan, with significant implications for the
sustainability of wild meat and wider food security. There were also
regional differences in the frequency, diversity, and types of domestic
and wild species consumed, underscoring the need to consider sociodemographic
diversity when developing wildlife conservation and
sustainable food initiatives. Finally, we provide recommendations to work
towards sustainable wild meat in these changing rural landscapes.