Endangered Animals
Many endangered species Are living in the congo rainforest, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos and lowland and mountain gorilla. The leading cause of wildlife loss in the Congo is the bushmeat trade, driven by an ever increasing market. In congo, there over a million tons of bushmeat consumed each year. This lucrative business is causing the forest to become empty of species. Animals like monkeys and antelope are common targets, although species such as gorillas and bonobos are also at risk.
Combating the bushmeat trade presents many challenges. In remote areas, bushmeat is the primary source of income for families. It is really the only export that will earn them money (an income).
The demand all around congo for ivory still drives the killing of elephants. This leads to local extinctions and it is threatening to eliminate elephants entirely. People like WWF plays an important role in fighting illegal trade, including through TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network. It helps people stop killing these animals and find some way else to make your money.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people from armed conflict are forced to live off the land with severe impacts to forests and wildlife. For example, the need in congo for fuelwood and charcoal has led to deforestation. Palm oil plantations and other commercial agriculture operations are a growing threat, putting greater pressure on the Congo’s forests and rivers.
Combating the bushmeat trade presents many challenges. In remote areas, bushmeat is the primary source of income for families. It is really the only export that will earn them money (an income).
The demand all around congo for ivory still drives the killing of elephants. This leads to local extinctions and it is threatening to eliminate elephants entirely. People like WWF plays an important role in fighting illegal trade, including through TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network. It helps people stop killing these animals and find some way else to make your money.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people from armed conflict are forced to live off the land with severe impacts to forests and wildlife. For example, the need in congo for fuelwood and charcoal has led to deforestation. Palm oil plantations and other commercial agriculture operations are a growing threat, putting greater pressure on the Congo’s forests and rivers.