An undercover investigation by conservation group Endangered Species International (ESI) has found that up to two gorillas are butchered and bushmeat sold each week in Kouilou, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The apes' meat is sold to traders who sell them in markets, according to the ESI. Around 300 gorillas are sold to markets each year in Congo. The ESI group conducted its undercover operation by speaking to sellers and traders in markets in Pointe Noire, Congo. The team found that the source of the bushmeat was a forested area called Kouilou, around 130 km from Pointe Noire.
The investigation revealed that poachers mostly target adult gorillas of reproductive age because they are rich in meat. ESI warns that heavy hunting of this magnitude will drive gorillas into extinction within a decade.
The ESI team also found that there exists a lucrative market for the endangered gorillas in the DRC.
The team is hoping to stop the killing in the DRC by providing alternative income to locals and conducting conservation awareness and educational programmes with NGOs.
Commercial hunting for the meat of wild animals has become the most significant immediate threat to the future of many endangered species in Africa. The bushmeat hunting is a large scale practice occurring in many parts of Africa including the most remote places.
The bushmeat consumption is also a major human health threat since it is linked to deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Foot disease.
In the DRC, the illegal bushmeat trade is threatening many endangered animals such as chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and many other rare animals.
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