At the first conference of the Congo Basin Science Initiative in Brazzaville, WCS Congo’s One Health Program shared results from a study conducted in Brazzaville and Ouesso with the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme.
Based on interviews with 79 actors across the value chain, hunters, wholesalers, vendors, restaurant owners, and consumers, the study reveals that the live fruit bat trade is a structured and economically significant system. In Brazzaville, total revenues can reach approximately 7–8 million FCFA for restaurant owners, around 7 million FCFA for wholesalers, and about 5.5 million FCFA for vendors. In Ouesso, revenues are lower (generally a few hundred thousand FCFA) but remain vital for local livelihoods.
The research also highlights a critical gap in zoonotic risk perception. While nearly all hunters and wholesalers report awareness of disease risks, understanding and perceived vulnerability remain very low among vendors, restaurant owners, and consumers. These findings stress the importance of strengthening awareness, prevention measures, and the full integration of the One Health approach to safeguard both economic stability and public health in the Republic of Congo.