Commercial Bushmeat

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Bushmeat is defined as any terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians harvested for food. Very often, animals such as mandrills and crocodiles are captured and tied up for days before being killed and sold. The trauma and distress these animals go through before they are killed is unimaginable. Bushmeat, especially the meat of chimpanzees and gorillas is considered a delicacy, and the high prices that this meat commands means that the hunting of these animals for the illegal bushmeat trade continues. Natives consume the animals for food out of necessity to feed their families, but the real detriment to wild populations is those that purchase bushmeat from overseas as a status symbol. It is illegal to sell bushmeat in the US and UK, but illegal imports still take place, most of which come from West or Central Africa. Ape Action Africa work with local communities surrounding their sanctuary in Cameroon to educate locals about bushmeat, logging, conservation and other environmental issues. These images were created in collaboration with photographer Cristian Barnett. The model’s nudity represents the vulnerability of the animals killed in the illegal bushmeat trade.