A review of trade policies and wild meat consumption patterns in Tanzania

Steven Temu, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Cuthbert Nahonyo, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Venance Mutayoba, Economics Department, The Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, P.O. Box 9193, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow
Flora Magige, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Paulo Wilfred, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environmental Studies, Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 23409, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

Wild meat, commonly referred to as bushmeat or game meat, plays a significant role in Tanzania's socio-economic and cultural systems, particularly for communities adjacent to protected areas where it contributes to food security, household income, and cultural practices. Despite over 30% of Tanzania's land being under protection, the country faces persistent challenges of unsustainable and illegal wildlife offtake. This review synthesizes trade policies and patterns in bushmeat hunting, consumption, and trade in Tanzania, and evaluates the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks. We conducted a structured, keyword-driven literature search covering 2000-2025 using Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and official documents from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority. Search terms included wild meat, bushmeat, game meat, wildlife trade, illegal hunting, and Tanzania trade policies, refined with Boolean operators. Inclusion criteria focused on relevance to Tanzania, empirical data on bushmeat, and policy orientation. Results show that bushmeat consumption varies widely across ecosystems (Serengeti, Kilombero, Katavi-Rukwa, Tarangire-Manyara, Ruaha) and ethnic groups, driven by factors including limited alternative protein, proximity to protected areas, low cost, ethnicity, household wealth, and weak enforcement. Over 28 species are documented in urban trade, including Aepyceros melampus, Connochaetes taurinus, Madoqua kirkii, and Hippopotamus amphibius, with complex supply chains linking rural hunters to urban markets. While Tanzania's legal framework including the Wildlife Conservation Act, CITES, and the Wildlife Conservation (Game Meat Selling) Regulations, 2020 represents a major policy shift to legalize and regulate game meat sale through licensed facilities, implementation reveals challenges of high compliance costs, unclear roles, enforcement gaps, and risks of laundering illegal meat. We conclude that the success of the 2020 Regulations depends on strengthened traceability, One Health integration, improved monitoring, and inclusive community participation. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to assess long-term conservation and livelihood outcomes of legalised trade.

Recommended Citation

Temu, Steven; Nahonyo, Cuthbert; Mutayoba, Venance; Magige, Flora; and Wilfred, Paulo (2026) "A review of trade policies and wild meat consumption patterns in Tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 52: Iss. 3, Article 14.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2367