The Kahayan River flowing through Central Kalimantan. This large river provides food and livelihoods for communities living in villages alongside it – including fishing and artisanal gold mining. This photo represents one of the many aspects of changing rural landscapes in Indonesian Borneo.
Photo by: K.L Spencer.

By Katie L. Spencer, Daniel J. Ingram, Namrata B. Anirudh, Ardiantiono, Susan M. Cheyne, Leejiah.J. Dorward, Abdul Kadir, Michaela G.Y. Lo, Courtney L. Morgans, Jatna Supriatna, Nurul L.Winarni, Freya A.V. St. John, and Matthew J. Struebig.

Read the full paper here

Millions of people across the world consume wild meat from wild animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. For many, wild meat is a key source of food, income, and cultural identity. However, unsustainable consumption contributes significantly to wildlife declines. Achieving a balance between supporting human needs and conserving wildlife in this context requires detailed information on who consumes wild meat, which species they eat, how often, and why. However, this knowledge is scarce in many tropical countries, including Indonesia.

Our study explored wild meat consumption in 28 rural villages in the Rungan and Sebangau landscapes of Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. We interviewed over 600 participants, asking about their forest activities, well-being (for example, living standards, education, and healthcare), meat consumption, hunting practices, and changes in wildlife populations they have observed.

Wild meat consumption was lower than we anticipated, typically less than once every 6 months, likely due to declining availability of wild animals. Individuals who hunted or had higher well-being were more likely to consume wild meat. Taste was the primary reason for choosing a type of meat, followed by ease of access. Limited availability and cost were the main barriers to more wild meat consumption, while religious beliefs also influenced dietary choices. In contrast, most respondents consumed freshwater fish daily, highlighting its importance for diets and food security.

Participants reported reduced availability of several wild species. For example, up to three-quarters of respondents thought bearded pigs had declined during the past two years – coinciding with an outbreak of African Swine Fever. Participants frequently cited environmental changes, including forest fires, mining and habitat loss as contributors to wildlife declines. People also reported decreased fish yields, which could present as a food security issue without improved environmental management of forests and rivers.

Our findings show that factors such as taste, wildlife availability and well-being – not poverty, as often reported in similar landscapes of other countries – drive wild meat consumption in Central Kalimantan. Ensuring sustainable use of wild meat requires addressing environmental challenges, improved protection of declining species and supporting communities to manage these resources in a more sustainable way.