Chimpanzee Welfare: Bushmeat and Sanctuary Crisis

Chimpanzees face population declines across sub-Saharan Africa from bushmeat hunting, habitat loss, and disease, while sanctuary systems struggle to provide adequate care for hundreds of orphaned animals.

Key Facts

Chimpanzee populations have declined from approximately one million individuals in 1900 to around 170,000-300,000 today
Bushmeat hunting kills an estimated 4,000-6,000 chimpanzees annually in Central Africa
Orphaned chimps whose mothers are killed for bushmeat require lifetime care in sanctuaries at costs of USD 15,000-20,000 per animal per year
Chimpanzees can live for 50+ years, creating long-term financial obligations for sanctuaries that take in orphans
PASA (Pan African Sanctuary Alliance) members care for over 1,000 chimpanzees across Africa

Welfare Considerations

Chimpanzee welfare in sanctuary settings depends critically on social housing, space, and enrichment. Chimpanzees deprived of appropriate social bonds show persistent psychological distress, self-directed behaviours, and aggression. Sanctuary overcrowding from a continuous flow of confiscated and orphaned animals strains resources and reduces welfare standards for existing residents. Wild chimpanzees in bushmeat hotspots live under chronic stress from human hunting pressure, with populations showing altered ranging patterns and elevated stress hormone levels.

What You Can Do

Donate to PASA member sanctuaries that provide lifetime care to chimpanzees orphaned by bushmeat hunting
Support demand-reduction campaigns in bushmeat markets through organisations such as the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force
Advocate for stronger enforcement of CITES protections for great apes at international ports of entry
Raise awareness about the chimpanzee bushmeat crisis through social media and community education