Bushmeat Trade and Wildlife Welfare

The bushmeat trade involves the hunting, trade and consumption of wild animals for food, causing widespread suffering and contributing to species decline across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Key Facts

The bushmeat trade in Central Africa alone is estimated at 1 to 5 million tonnes annually
Great apes, forest elephants and pangolins are among the most at-risk species from bushmeat hunting
Bushmeat hunting often involves wire snares that cause prolonged suffering to caught animals
In many areas bushmeat provides critical protein for food-insecure communities with few alternatives
Commercial bushmeat trade for urban markets is the most damaging component, distinct from subsistence hunting

Welfare Considerations

Wire snares used in bushmeat hunting cause some of the most prolonged animal suffering documented in any hunting context — animals may be caught for days before dying or being found. Non-target species are routinely caught in snares, causing unnecessary suffering and death. Even target animals are rarely killed humanely. The welfare dimension of bushmeat hunting must be addressed alongside conservation and food security concerns, as communities that depend on bushmeat also deserve sustainable and humane alternatives rather than simple prohibition.

What You Can Do

Support Wildlife Conservation Society programmes addressing bushmeat trade sustainably
Advocate for snare removal programmes in key bushmeat hunting zones
Support sustainable protein development projects in bushmeat-dependent communities
Never consume bushmeat or purchase bushmeat products when travelling
Campaign for bushmeat trade regulation that distinguishes subsistence from commercial hunting