The bushmeat trade in Central and West Africa kills millions of animals annually including primates, with serious welfare implications for hunted individuals and orphaned survivors.
Bushmeat trade welfare harms operate across multiple stages. Snare trapping causes severe and prolonged injury - animals may remain trapped for hours or days before death or rescue. Hunted primates that are shot may be injured rather than killed, surviving in pain. Infants clinging to shot mothers may be taken live and experience the trauma of capture and separation after witnessing maternal death. Orphaned chimpanzees kept as pets suffer severe psychological trauma. Sanctuary rescue and rehabilitation provides welfare recovery for orphans, but prevention through alternative livelihood programmes and law enforcement is the most impactful long-term intervention.