Could Guinea Pigs Fight Hunger in Congo?

In war-torn Congo, regular food supplies are scarce. In an effort to remedy the situation, researchers are suggesting that guinea pigs—which they’re calling “micro-livestock”—be bred and fed to the hungry population. According to the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, guinea pigs could provide "a much-needed source of protein and micro-nutrients in a country with some of the highest incidences of malnutrition the world.” In addition, they said, guinea pigs’ small size means they are “well-suited to conflict zones, where extreme poverty and widespread lawlessness means that the looting of larger domestic livestock is commonplace.” Although they are kept as pets in North America and Europe, guinea pigs are eaten in South America, most notably in Peru.