The illegal bushmeat trade kills thousands of great apes annually and fuels the orphan crisis as infants are captured after adults are killed.
Orphan apes separated by bushmeat hunting experience acute trauma, social deprivation, and psychological deterioration. Many arrive at sanctuaries in shock, malnourished, and with behavioral abnormalities from inadequate surrogate care. Recovery takes years of skilled care in appropriate social groups. Adults killed for bushmeat may die from wounds before being found. The welfare harm is enormous and ongoing.