The bushmeat trade in Central and West Africa kills millions of wild animals annually, including protected primates. It is both a conservation crisis and a source of profound animal welfare harm.
Snaring is the dominant bushmeat capture method and causes severe suffering: animals caught in wire snares may take hours or days to die from injuries, dehydration, or predation while trapped. Primates killed for bushmeat are often shot or beaten to death. Young primates surviving the death of their mother face extreme psychological trauma and inadequate care as illegal pets. Ranger patrols, alternative protein sources, and community engagement are proven welfare and conservation interventions.