Wild Primates and Bushmeat Alternatives

Providing protein alternatives to communities dependent on wild primate bushmeat is one of the most effective welfare interventions — reducing hunting pressure while addressing genuine food security needs.

Key Facts

Bushmeat provides critical protein in food-insecure rural communities across Central and West Africa
An estimated 579 species of mammals are hunted for bushmeat globally
Alternative protein programs including aquaculture, improved livestock, and protein crops reduce hunting pressure
Programs that understand community needs achieve greater uptake than prohibitionist approaches
Great ape bushmeat hunting has been reduced in some areas through community development programs

Welfare Considerations

The welfare case for bushmeat alternative programs addresses both the welfare of hunted primates and the food security needs of human communities. Prohibitionist approaches that criminalize subsistence hunting without providing alternatives transfer food insecurity to human communities while failing to prevent hunting. Programs that engage communities as partners — providing aquaculture facilities, chicken flocks, or legume agriculture — create genuine protein alternatives that communities choose voluntarily. The welfare outcome is better for primates, and food security outcomes improve for humans.

What You Can Do

Support organizations providing protein alternative programs in bushmeat-dependent communities
Donate to Wildlife Conservation Network programs addressing bushmeat through community development
Advocate for development assistance frameworks that include bushmeat alternative components
Engage with the complex intersection of food security and wildlife welfare in bushmeat discussions
Choose tourism operators whose revenue funds community development alongside conservation