The Bushmeat Crisis

13 Oct The Bushmeat Crisis

Until the late 20^th century, apes were hunted for subsistence at sustainable levels in west and central Africa. Then the foreign timber-logging companies arrived. Suddenly, roads were carved deep into once pristine patches of forest, giving hunters unprecedented access to the wildlife there. Logging companies soon began paying local inhabitants to hunt for meat to feed their employees, supplying them also with guns and ammunition.

Today, the slaughter of apes—including gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos—as well as other forest animals, such as elephants—is driving many species to the brink of extinction. New roads also make it easier to transport these illegal meat products to local markets, fostering illicit trade and fueling the current crisis.

The Forest Health Alliance is dedicated to raising awareness about this growing problem and finding ways to prevent the continued slaughter of endangered animals. In fact, the bushmeat crisis was one of the main reasons the Forest Health Alliance was established. For an in-depth perspective, please read The Demise of the Great Apes of Africa, by the organization’s founder and president, Dr. Kerry Bowman.

For additional information on the bushmeat crisis, please visit:

The Bushmeat Crisis Task Force
A consortium dedicated to the conservation of wildlife populations threatened by commercial hunting.

The Bushmeat Project
Launched by Dr. Anthony Rose to help the people of west and central Africa develop alternatives to consuming bushmeat.

Bushmeat, the Film
In the rainforests of Cameroon huge numbers of gorillas and chimpanzees are in danger of becoming eaten into extinction. Bushmeat chronicles the efforts of bio-ethicist Dr. Kerry Bowman and an international team including pre-eminent primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, who are collectively committed to stopping the slaughter.

On DVD | Digital Download

And be sure to check out these articles:

• The Other French Connection, by Karl Ammann.
• Poachers killing gorillas, chimps for bushmeat delicacy, on CNN.com.
• Growing Illegal Commerce in African Bushmeat Destroys Great Apes and Threatens Humanity, by Dr. Rose.
• Conservation in Central Africa: Time For a More Business Approach, by Karl Ammann.
• Turning Poachers to Protectors, by Dr. Rose.