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Research uncovers the illegal trade of pet chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau

The illegal trade in live chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is more widespread than current data indicates, scientists believe, and may be a major factor contributing to the decline of the chimpanzee population.

New research, by the University of Porto, Cardiff University and IBAP (the national agency managing biodiversity and protected areas in Guinea-Bissau), sheds light on the illegal trade of chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau, with scientists and national conservationists recommending actions that could improve the problem of the illegal trade from the country.

The findings are in the journal Conservation Letters.

Guinea-Bissau is home to 5–6% of the global population of the western chimpanzees—a critically endangered primate, yet little is known about the trade of the species there.

Dr. Maria Joana Ferreira da Silva, University of Porto and Cardiff University School of Biosciences, said, "Guinea-Bissau is home to an important chimpanzee population, and given the high extinction risk faced by the western chimpanzee, addressing the illegal trade of chimpanzees there is an urgent priority.

"In our research, we compiled existing information to highlight relevant knowledge gaps, to allow us to suggest management actions to address this urgent conservation issue."

The estimated population of western chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau ranges from 923 to 6,121 individuals. The population size is declining due to habitat loss, hunting and disease transmission. The exact number of chimpanzees supplied for international trade remains unknown.

Previous data indicates that over 643 western chimpanzees were trafficked globally between 2005 and 2011. Additionally, between 2016 and 2020, around 153 chimpanzees, mostly from the western subspecies, were likely traded internationally.

In 2023, Guinea-Bissau was identified as a confirmed source in illegal trafficking routes, particularly exporting chimpanzees to the neighboring country of Republic of Guinea. Primarily, the trafficked chimpanzees are sold as pets for private homes and hotels.

The illegal trade may involve killing 5–10 adult chimpanzees to capture one infant, significantly impacting population numbers.

Dr. Ferreira da Silva said, "It is common for the illegally traded chimpanzees to go on to be kept as pets in inadequate conditions, with a poor quality of life, This causes them to die relatively young. Their capture is also associated with the death of its family members, as the hunters kill mothers and other individuals and sell infants. Other primates are also traded as pets in the country in large numbers, such as Patas monkeys.

"We recorded 18 cases of pet chimpanzees, which may have implied the death of a minimum of 90–180 adults. This is extremely worrying, as the killing of 90–180 chimpanzees could represent up to 20% of the population size of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau."

The researchers believe the illegal trade of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is likely to be more widespread than current data indicate, and there are significant challenges in effectively curbing this practice.

The research highlights challenges in law enforcement, including a lack of trained personnel, equipment, and wildlife veterinary services.

The study also emphasizes inadequate legislation with penalties in obsolete currencies and legislation with unenforceable penalties of around €5,000, when most of the population in Guinea-Bissau live on less than two US dollars a day.

A lack of sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers in Guinea-Bissau was also highlighted as an issue in the study, meaning there are no in-country centers to house confiscated chimpanzees or other wildlife, leaving authorities reluctant to enforce regulations.

Current efforts to relocate confiscated chimpanzees to sanctuaries abroad are costly and complex, and the researchers are concerned this is not a sustainable long-term solution.

Weak border control also leads Guinea-Bissau to be "porous" to smuggling.

No chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau have been officially identified in international seizures of animals, which indicates undetected trafficking routes that urgently must be addressed, according to the research team.

Dr. Ferreira da Silva added, "Law enforcement needs to be strengthened by updating legislation with clear and enforceable penalties, and training judiciary and border officials in wildlife crime detection and regulations. Improving collaboration between national and international agencies will help to combat wildlife trafficking.

"It is paramount that in-country solutions are developed with local sanctuaries to care for confiscated animals. Raising awareness for the risks of maintaining wildlife is urgent to reduce the demand for primate pets."

"We need to increase engagement with the public in Guinea-Bissau and all over the world, increasing awareness of the impact of keeping chimpanzees as pets, for their well-being and the associated risks, but also the wider impacts on their conservation. The western chimpanzee is critically endangered of extinction and as one pet chimpanzee is associated with the death of many."