Overhunting of wildlife in rainforests has become a major problem in many areas, particularly in West Africa and Indonesia. Some of this overhunting is by local people in need of food. However, much of it is done for sale in local markets.

In Africa, for instance, logging crews pay hunters to feed them, but then provide transport for the hunters back and forth from forest to town to sell their catch. This includes many endangered species that are illegal to hunt, including chimpanzees, gorillas and pangolins (scaly anteaters) and duikers, a type of deer.

For more information on the bushmeat trade, see Bushmeat: Africa’s Second Deadly Harvest, Illegal Hunting.