Welfare of Wild Primates Affected by Bushmeat Hunting

Bushmeat hunting in tropical Africa and Asia kills millions of wild primates annually, with orphaned infants entering the illegal pet trade after their mothers are killed.

Key Facts

An estimated 5 million tonnes of bushmeat are harvested annually from African forests
Primates are disproportionately targeted due to their large body size and group-living behavior
Infant primates caught after their mothers are killed are highly stressed and rarely survive without expert care
Wire snares used for bushmeat hunting cause severe injuries and prolonged deaths in caught animals
Alternative protein programs have reduced bushmeat hunting pressure in some communities when paired with livelihoods support

Welfare Considerations

Bushmeat hunting causes individual suffering at enormous scale — primates caught in wire snares may die slowly over days. Infants whose mothers are killed face a future of trauma, immune compromise, and high mortality even with expert sanctuary care. The drivers are economic and cultural rather than purely motivational, meaning purely punitive approaches are ineffective. Programs that provide alternative protein sources, livelihoods support, and community wildlife benefits reduce bushmeat pressure while addressing the welfare crisis from multiple directions.

What You Can Do

Support organizations providing community-based alternative livelihoods to reduce bushmeat dependence
Donate to primate sanctuaries that care for orphaned bushmeat trade survivors
Advocate for bushmeat trade reduction programs that address both demand and supply side drivers
Never purchase bushmeat products or any goods made from primate materials