Wild Animals

Wild Chimpanzee Welfare and Bushmeat Trade

Wild chimpanzees face threats from habitat loss and the bushmeat trade, with welfare implications for individuals caught, injured, or killed in the process.

Key Facts

Chimpanzees are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List with fewer than 300,000 remaining
The bushmeat trade kills tens of thousands of great apes annually across central Africa
Orphaned infant chimpanzees are often taken as pets or for the illegal wildlife trade
Snares set for other animals frequently injure or kill chimpanzees causing slow, painful deaths
Chimpanzees have complex social lives and the death of community members causes visible grief

Welfare Considerations

Chimpanzees caught in snares experience severe physical trauma and prolonged suffering. Orphaned chimpanzees separated from their mothers experience profound psychological distress. Research shows chimpanzees exhibit grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress responses following traumatic losses. The welfare implications of bushmeat hunting extend beyond physical injury to the psychological and social fabric of chimpanzee communities.

What You Can Do

Never purchase or consume bushmeat or products derived from wild primates
Support organisations working on snare removal and anti-poaching in chimpanzee habitat
Donate to sanctuaries caring for orphaned chimpanzees rescued from the pet trade
Support habitat protection efforts for chimpanzee forest habitat in central and west Africa
Advocate for stronger international enforcement of CITES protections for great apes